When you collaborate with an implant dentist and a dental surgeon to replace a missing tooth, you’ll get benefits that affect much more than your oral health.
Unlike alternatives, dental implants offer a complete replacement tooth structure, including a root. The implant is made of titanium, which is the surrounding bone is able to fuse with. That process, known as osseointegration, unfolds over the course of several months following the procedure in which the dental surgeon inserts the implant into the jaw. After integration, the implant dentist fabricates a life-like crown.
The structural integrity of dental implants boosts your overall well-being. Consider nutrition, for example.
With the connection to the jaw bone, dental implants can withstand forces approximating those associated with normal chewing. Bridges and dentures, on the other hand, don’t offer so much in terms of functionality. Dental implant patients rarely have to restrict any favorite foods from their diet. (Use common sense, though! Anything that can damage a natural tooth can damage a prosthetic, too.)
Being able to keep a more varied diet, including crunchy foods, gives patients ample opportunity to take in a complete array of recommended nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
When the implant is used to replace a single tooth or a small number of them, they have a lower impact on the remaining biological teeth. Dental implants stand alone and require no support from their neighboring teeth. Bridges require crowns, which necessitate the removal of healthy enamel.
Furthermore, dental implants stabilize the jawbone, which also prevents further tooth loss. Keeping your remaining natural teeth for as long as possible is a significant advantage for patients’ health.
The prosthetics supported by dental implants, whether they are crowns, bridges or dentures, are made of remarkably lifelike materials, so your smile should not be noticeably different. Implants also feel more natural, again due to the structural design of the implant.
Dental implants offer a number of advantages to patients, including a boost to the patient’s overall health. If you need to replace a missing tooth, consult with our oral surgeons at ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio to learn more about this treatment option.
