For many, losing a tooth can feel deeply personal. Teeth make up our smile, help us digest food, and even determine the tone of our voice. That’s why humans have been finding ways to replace teeth for thousands of years. Archaeologists in Honduras during the 1930s discovered the skull of a woman born thousands of years ago who had lodged a seashell into her jawbone, and several depictions of tooth replacement methods involving gold wire have been discovered in ancient Egypt. If you’ve lost a tooth today, however, you’ll find that tooth replacement methods have come along way. Modern dental implants are known to have a 98 percent success rate, and, when cared for properly, can last a lifetime.
If you’ve recently lost teeth, you may consider dental implants as the treatment for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
First dreamed up by the Swedish dentist, Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, dental implants are now one of the most used tooth replacement treatments. What makes them so effective is not just their design but the way they cooperate with the body. Through the process of osseointegration, a term used to refer to the integration between living tissue and an implant, dental implants form a bond with the jawbone that mimics that of an actual tooth root. Comprised of the titanium implant and a ceramic crown, first the implant is surgically inserted into the jaw bone and given time to heal, and then the crown is added to complete the process.
Dental Implant Benefits
The most obvious benefit to dental implants is restoring your smile. Whether you’ve lost one or multiple teeth, dental implants can provide the comfort of knowing that all your teeth are back where they belong. When comparing with other tooth replacement methods like traditional dentures, there are several other benefits to consider, as well. Unlike dentures, dental implants form connection with your jaw that is similar to a natural tooth root, which makes falling out highly unlikely, meaning you won’t have to significantly change you diet. Dental implants also don’t require any special cleaning beyond your regular oral hygiene routine, which should include brushing and flossing twice daily.
Psychological and Functional Advantages
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, dental implants offer significant psychological benefits. They can restore your smile, self-confidence, and mental well-being. The presence of a full set of teeth can significantly impact your social interactions and how you feel about yourself, potentially alleviating feelings of depression or anxiety associated with tooth loss.
Functionally, dental implants allow for a return to natural chewing and speaking abilities, enabling you to enjoy a variety of foods and communicate effectively. They eliminate the discomfort and insecurity often associated with removable dentures, such as slipping or clicking sounds.
Preserving Oral Health and Preventing Bone Loss
One of the most crucial benefits of dental implants is their ability to preserve natural bone and prevent bone loss. When you lose teeth, you also lose the bone structure that supports those teeth. Dental implants act as a tooth root substitute, providing the stimulation needed to maintain the jawbone and prevent its deterioration. This preservation of bone structure not only maintains the integrity of your facial structure but also benefits your overall oral health by supporting the surrounding natural teeth and preventing their shift.
Are You Ready For Dental Implants?
A recent paper presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research, tooth loss can come with psychological risks. While many know that losing teeth can cause bone loss in the jaw, sometime changing the appearance of the cheeks, it seems that tooth loss can also be linked to depression and anxiety. If you’ve been feeling embarrassed about your smile, maybe it’s time to schedule an appointment. One-on-one you can chat with your dentist about any concerns you might have, and confirm that the treatment is right for you.
Do you want to learn how dental implants can help you? Please call (907) 349-0022 or contact us today for an appointment with an Anchorage implant dentist at Excellence in Dentistry.