Are you wondering if you should get dental implants? You may have lost teeth due to trauma, disease, or genetics, but you are not alone. Statistics show that about 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, and about 40 million Americans are missing all their teeth. Replacing missing teeth protects your oral and overall health. Although a partial or complete denture or a dental bridge can replace missing teeth, why are dental implants more effective?
Should You Get Dental Implants?
You should consider getting dental implants because they mimic natural tooth structure and are more effective than other tooth replacement options. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. If you are missing individual teeth, implant components will replace them.
Dental implant parts
- Dental implant root – Replaces the root of a natural tooth
- Dental crown – Replaces the portion of your tooth that shows above the gumline
- Abutment – Connects the dental crown to the implant
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implant benefits include restoring the look and feel of your natural teeth. And implants outlast removable partial dentures, bridges, and dentures. We will explore the details of implant benefits.
Function Efficiently
Dental implants are highly functional because an implant dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist surgically places them in your jawbone. In three to four months, the implants and your jawbone will fuse. How will you benefit?
- Your jawbone will lock the artificial tooth roots in place.
- The replacement teeth attached to them will not move.
- You can eat and speak with ease as if you had your natural teeth again.
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry published an article on how removable dentures affect chewing ability. The article states that a removable partial denture can reduce your bite force by 15 to 20 percent. And a complete denture only supplies 20 to 25 percent of your biting force. Dental implants will help you bite and chew well, enjoy your food, and get its nutritional benefits.
Stimulate Bone
Natural tooth roots stimulate your jawbone, so the bone begins to shrink when you lose a tooth. Dental implants replace tooth roots, stimulate the bone, and prevent shrinkage. Keeping your jawbone intact supports your facial muscles and prevents premature facial wrinkling and sagging.
Look Natural
Implants look natural because an implant dentist places them in your jawbone. When your dentist attaches replacement teeth to the implants, they will appear to naturally emerge from your gums. People will not notice your implants. And you may forget that you have them.
Feel Natural
Your implants will feel like your natural teeth because they have fused with your bone. You will feel these results even if you are missing multiple teeth:
- An implant-supported dental bridge for multiple missing teeth feels more natural.
- An implant-supported denture will feel stable and comfortable.
- Denture comfort will increase with the number of implants you receive.
Preserves Nearby Teeth
Your jawbone supports dental implants—not other teeth. A removable partial denture clips onto adjacent teeth, and a dental bridge requires your dentist to shave down neighboring teeth and place the bridge over them.
How do implants protect other teeth?
- Dental implants stand alone with your bone as the foundation.
- They do not clip onto your adjacent teeth or fit over them.
- Your implant dentist will keep neighboring teeth intact and healthy.
Renew Your Confidence
Do missing teeth affect your confidence or make you hesitant to smile? Dental implants fill in the gaps of missing teeth and improve your smile. Your natural-looking replacement teeth can improve your quality of life.
You will feel better about smiling in all areas of life, including:
- Socializing
- Taking pictures
- Working
- Looking in the mirror
Longevity
Dental implants last longer than removable tooth replacements because your jawbone anchors them. Implants can last decades—often a lifetime. Attaching replacement teeth to implants helps your crowns, bridge, or denture last longer and maintain their form.
What About the Cost?
Dental implants are the most expensive option for replacing missing teeth. But they outlast removable options by decades. You will only need to replace your dental crown, bridge, or denture—and not as often as you would if your replacement teeth were removable. Dr. Mo Saleh of Vancouver, Washington, is a Diplomate of implantology. He received his credentials from two internationally recognized implant organizations. Earning the credentials required him to pass rigorous exams and submit patient cases to demonstrate his expertise with implants.
Dr. Saleh is a Diplomate of these organizations:
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- International Dental Implant Association
You will find that despite his credentials and expertise, Dr. Saleh’s goal is to make dental implants affordable so that you can enjoy the most effective and long-lasting form of tooth replacement.
Summary
You should consider getting dental implants if you want the most natural-looking, highly functional form of tooth replacement. Although dental implants cost more than other options, they last decades longer. Even the replacement teeth attached to implants will last longer because they are stable. Look for an implant dentist with advanced training for safe, accurate, long-lasting results.
Request a Dental Implants Consultation in Vancouver, WA
If you wonder whether you should get dental implants or are a candidate for them, Dr. Mo Saleh of Vancouver, Washington, invites you to schedule a consultation. He will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and give you upfront details about the procedure and costs. Request a consultation today.
