Life can feel different after you lose teeth. You might smile less or be forced to turn away your favorite foods because they’re harder to eat. Fortunately, our Portage restorative dentists have a solution that will bring back the beauty, feeling, and function of natural teeth. We’re talking about dental implants.
Here are 5 major reasons in favor of dental implants over removable dentures.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that are embedded into your jawbone. They are designed to permanently replace teeth that have been lost and closely resemble a small screw. A dental crown is placed on top to complete the restoration.
When you lose a tooth, your jawbone is no longer stimulated in that area. This may not seem like much, but your jawbone needs stimulation to remain healthy. With no tooth root present, your body will begin to absorb the minerals in the area of the jaw that used to surround the tooth. Over time, this can lead to the loss of facial structure, or facial collapse.
The replaces the missing tooth root and can keep your jawbone happy for years to come.
1. A Permanent No-Slip Solution to Missing Teeth
Since dentures are removable, they tend to slip or shift when you’re talking or eating. Though this movement can be corrected by gently biting down and swallowing, it can still lead to feelings of embarrassment.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are surgically embedded in your jaw so they’re not going anywhere. There is no risk of them moving at inopportune times and no need to practice getting used to them during the day.
2. No Extra Oral Hygiene Maintenance
The wonderful thing about dental implants is that they require the same amount of care as natural teeth. That means thoroughly brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our Portage dental office for checkups every 6 months.
To clean dentures, you need to remove them to gently brush off food debris and plaque buildup. You must also place them in a denture cleanser or glass of water to soak when not in your mouth. If left out, you risk having them dry out, crack, or warp. None of that maintenance exists with dental implants.
3. Prevent Loss of Bone, Other Teeth, and Facial Structure
As explained above, a missing tooth root leads to the reabsorption of minerals in the jawbone. In as little as 10 or 20 years, this process can result in facial collapse which is a serious health condition.
can also directly cause teeth adjacent to the gap to tilt toward the open space and crowd each other. When these teeth shift, they increasingly become in danger of falling out due to lack of support. You can prevent this from happening with dental implants.
4. Function and Look Like Natural Teeth
No one will know by looking at your smile that you have dental implants, let alone had teeth missing. Paired with a dental crown, implants do not stand out amongst your other teeth and allow you to eat whatever you’d like.
Forget having to take out false teeth and limit your consumption of tough, hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. With dental implants, you are free to enjoy all of your favorites without any worries.
5. No Adjustments or Adhesives Needed
Sometimes dentures need minor adjustments in order to fit appropriately. To further secure them in place, messy adhesives can also be used. Because implants are surgically put into your jaw by our dentists, no adhesives or routine adjustments are required. After you’ve fully healed from the procedure, you’re ready to get back to regular life.
Regain Self-Confidence After Missing Teeth
You don’t have to suffer from the effects of missing teeth forever. Our restorative dentists in Portage, MI, would be more than happy to discuss with you how beneficial dental implants can be for your life. Make an appointment online or call the dental office of Susan M. Dennis, DDS today at (269) 743-4375.