Tooth loss, also called edentulation, is prevalent in the United States, with at least 69% of adults within the relatively young ages of 35 and 44 having lost at least one natural tooth. What is more concerning is that over than 30 million Americans are missing all of their biological teeth in at least one of their jaws, a factor that can contribute to bone loss in the jaw, difficulty eating, and lowered self-esteem.
In response to this problem, more people are opting for dental implants to restore their smiles, with 500,000 more implants being performed each year than the year prior. One of the reasons for this increase in dental implant procedures is that the success rate hovers at around 95, which makes implant placement a logical, cost-effective way to replace a missing natural tooth.
As your dental professional will tell you, maintaining the integrity of your natural teeth is still the best and healthiest option. However, when damage or disease occurs and a tooth is lost, dental implants are a sensible way to keep your smile as beautiful and natural-looking as possible.
This article explores the function and aesthetics of dental implants and how they can provide a smart, cost-effective alternative to bridges, dentures, and other replacements for missing teeth.
A dental implant can provide a long-lasting restoration option that is both natural-looking and functional for areas where you have experienced tooth loss. A dental implant is basically a prosthetic tooth that looks exactly like a natural tooth and is created to match the color of your other teeth. It is mounted on a titanium screw that has been placed into the bone of your jaw where you have experienced tooth loss. This post acts as a substitute for the natural root of your lost tooth and is topped with a connector — called an abutment — that will allow your dentist to anchor your replacement tooth.
Once you have your dental implants in place, you can laugh, talk, and eat at usual, as they are not prone to the movement, clicking, and slippage that you may find with other restorations such as bridges or dentures.
Other ways that dental implants can help improve your smile include:
When you are considering options for restoring a missing tooth, you want to look at the longevity of each option. Dental implants can often function properly for twenty or more years, making them more cost-effective than other restorations. While your biological teeth are meant to last for your lifetime, many people experience tooth loss at some point due to one of many factors, including:
Before dental implants were available, people missing a tooth often had to resort to other dental appliances such as bridges to fill in the gap and help them eat, talk, and smile naturally. However, restorations such as bridges have a much shorter lifespan than implants — often requiring replacement as soon as five years. Also, bridges require your dentist to reduce nearby teeth which can predispose them to decay, cracking, or other issues.
Tooth strength is important to proper chewing function. When you chew, you are exerting great force on your jawbone. This chewing force helps to protect the structure of your jaw by keeping the bone healthy and preventing atrophy.
While other restorations are fitted without integrating with your jaw, implants are fitted to a titanium screw that is actually inserted into the bone of the jaw. As time goes by, that screw fuses naturally with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration. Titanium is the natural choice for this process because it has a high level of strength and is easily accepted by the human body. In fact, the success rate for titanium screws as used in dental implants is an amazing 97% for ten years.
Dental implants are permanent — just like your natural teeth. That means you don’t have to remove them or go through any special cleaning processes — but you do have to maintain good dental hygiene. Although they can’t decay, improperly cared for dental implants can chip, loosen, or break.
For patients that grind their teeth during the day or at night — an issue known as bruxism — getting fitted with a night guard to protect the integrity of their implants and their other natural teeth is important. You should also avoid bad habits such as using your teeth to tear open packages or chewing ice, which can contribute to weakened, broken, or chipped implants.
One of the best reasons to consider dental implants for tooth restoration is their ability to perfectly match your existing natural teeth. The crown portion of each implant will be made of porcelain in a shape, size, color, texture, and translucency that will blend effortlessly with your other teeth for a beautiful, natural smile.
Just like natural teeth, these porcelain crowns can get stained, so be sure to practice good hygiene and avoid foods such as wine, coffee, berries, and other substances that can discolor teeth.
At Dentist of Gardena, we offer the latest in dental implant technology to help our patients in the Gardena area achieve a beautiful, natural smile — even if they have lost one or more teeth. Our implants are created with titanium that is sourced from the United States and are designed, with proper care, to last for a lifetime of smiling, eating, and laughing and be a perfect match to your existing teeth for the most beautiful, natural smile.
Visit us today at Dentist of Gardena for more information and discover how simple and affordable replacing your lost teeth with dental implants can be!