When you think of dental implants, you may think of fake-looking, uncomfortable teeth that fill in gaps for missing teeth.
The thought of having a fake tooth or two may even cause you some hesitation.
If you’re on the fence about dental implants, here are some benefits of dental implants that you may or may not be aware of:
Enhanced Appearance. The aesthetics of dental implants have dramatically increased over the years. Dental technology enables our dentists to insert artificial teeth that match the natural size, shape and color of the rest of the patients’ teeth, so it isn’t noticeable. You’ll look like you have a healthy, full smile.
Better Speech. Whether you have a few gaps in your smile from missing teeth or you have ill-fitting dentures, chances are you’ll have an embarrassing lisp or lack of clarity in your speech. Dental implants, however, are secure, essentially becoming a permanent fixture of your mouth. You won’t have to worry about unclear speech again.
Comfort. Removable dentures can irritate the soft tissue of your mouth, most noticeably you gums. Dental implants, however, won’t slip, be uncomfortable or irritate your mouth because the implant will be permanently fused to your jaw bone.
Your dental implant will not only look like your natural teeth, but it will feel and function like your natural tooth.
Improved Oral Health. Dental implants can improve your oral health by strengthening the jaw bone and from preventing surrounding teeth from shifting and growing in crooked. Dental implants don’t require alteration of nearby teeth, leaving more of your remaining teeth intact.
Dental implants also keep the jaw bone from deteriorating. The roots of your teeth maintain the density and strength of your bone structure. When teeth are lost, the area of the bone where the teeth once were begin to atrophy from lack of use and pressure.
Where teeth are lost, the gaps left behind provide an invitation for surrounding teeth to grow into that space. Not only are crooked teeth unappealing, but they can inhibit proper eating and speaking. Crooked teeth also make it harder to adequately remove cavity and gum disease-causing plaque.
Dental implants are effective in not only filling in embarrassing gaps, but the post of the implant can preserve and strengthen jaw bones and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting and growing in crooked.
Convenience. With dentures, you must take them out to eat and over night to get them cleaned. You also have to contend with messy adhesives to keep the dentures in place. With dental implants, they are permanent and secure so you can eat with confidence and you can maintain them by simply brushing your teeth.
Eating is Hassle-Free. Dentures and missing teeth can make eating, chewing and biting not only difficult and uncomfortable, but also embarrassing. As dental implants are permanently fused with your jaw bone, their secure fit will make normal eating, chewing and biting possible and easy.
Heightened Self-Esteem. If you’re feeling self-conscious with missing teeth, dentures, or even at the thought of implants, implants will better your self-esteem by naturally restoring your full, healthy, beautiful smile.
Patients who are proud to show off their beautiful smiles are happier and more self-confident than those who regularly hide their smile out of embarrassment.
Durability. While dentures may need to be adjusted occasionally to fit comfortably in your mouth and can break from the constant removing and inserting them into and out of the mouth, dental implants, are much more durable, lasting many years, and even a lifetime with proper care.
Getting dental implants may sound scary, but their oral health, aesthetic and quality of life benefits are more than worth the fear of getting them.
Whether you’re missing teeth or are tired of putting up with the embarrassment, inconvenience and discomfort of dentures, contact us today at Marshall, Shofner & Phan Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry to schedule an appointment to learn if dental implants can help achieve your dental health goals.