There are many reasons why dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth, including their extraordinary durability. With excellent oral hygiene and regular cleanings and oral screenings, dental implants placed by an experienced oral surgeon will last 20 years or longer. Many patients who receive dental implants find that they last their entire lifetime. Here’s a look at the reasons that oral surgeons recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Dental Implants are Extremely Durable
Dental implants are surgically implanted in the jaw bone. The screws used to hold the artificial tooth are made of materials such as zirconia or titanium, which are not only biocompatible but incredibly resilient. Once the screw has been placed, your body will begin a remarkable process known as osseointegration, wherein the tissues and bone of the jaw begin to grow up the screw, just like it does with a natural tooth root. This ensures that the screw is strongly secured to the jaw, and will remain stable and durable for years to come.
Dental Implants Reinforce Your Jaw
Patients who are missing teeth suffer from bone loss in the jaw. When a tooth is extracted, the jaw and tissues that were anchored to the tooth root begin to deteriorate. However, once an implant is placed during oral surgery, the tissue and jawbone treat the implant the same way they would treat a natural tooth root. They begin anchoring to the implant, thus reinforcing the jawbone. This will help with chewing and restoring bite force.
Dental Implants Keep Other Teeth Stable
It is an unfortunate reality that losing a tooth negatively impacts the health of other teeth. The teeth adjacent to a gap will begin to shift into the space left by the missing tooth. More broadly, studies show that once you’ve lost a single tooth, you are more likely to lose additional teeth. Dental implants solve both potential problems by stabilizing the adjacent teeth, through replacing the missing tooth.
Dental Implants Can Improve Oral Health
Gaps left by missing teeth are often sites for bacteria collection, which can lead to gum disease. Severe gum disease (periodontitis)has been linked to myriad other health conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to diabetes. By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, which are easy to clean and maintain, you reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease, and potential problems that may stem from it.
Dental Implants Are Cared for Like Natural Teeth
Unlike dental bridges, or dentures, which require specific tools, and cleaning solutions, a dental implant can be brushed, flossed, and otherwise treated like a natural tooth. Even better? The dental crowns attached to your implant will not develop cavities. You will need to see a dentist twice a year for oral examinations and cleanings, but you won’t have to worry about adhesives or any special tools for cleaning a dental implant.
Dental Implants Preserve the Shape of Your Face
Missing teeth lead to loss of jaw bone, which over time will alter the appearance of your face. As the jaw bone deteriorates, the mouth begins to look aged, and sunken. Because dental implants mimic both the look and function of a natural tooth, you will preserve jaw bone, and prevent the premature aging associated with missing teeth.
Dental Implants in Burlington & Cambridge
At the Oral & Facial Surgery Centers of Massachusetts, our experienced oral surgeons provide single dental implants, implants to support dentures, and implants to provide a full arch of teeth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about dental implants in Burlington or Cambridge.