Through the entirety of our lifetimes, our teeth change. We lose our first set as children, and consider that the end of replacements. However, whether through dietary consequences or other factors, sometimes we need to replace our teeth. Dentures have been the traditional method of filling in the gaps, but they come with their own problems. Dental implants work under the same concept as dentures, but without the drawbacks. Here are 7 reasons why dental implants are a great option for teeth replacement.
A Long-Term Solution
Denture structures are generally meant to be worn for seven to ten years before needing to be remolded and replaced. Dental implants, however, do not need to be removed, and are made to be permanent replacements. While it may be necessary to have them adjusted as your natural teeth shift around them, they require far less maintenance.
Maintain Your Speech Levels
When you insert dentures, your mouth must adjust to the new device. It may be an uncomfortable experience, and adding to that is how your speech will be affected. It may be hard to hold simple conversations simply because your mouth cannot move like in its previous state. Because implants function the same as your other, natural teeth, this is not an issue.
Eat all the Foods You Love
Much like braces, there are restrictions on what foods you can eat while wearing your dentures. Whether you worry food will be too hard for you to bite or cause the dentures to loosen, you have to rearrange your food choices. Implants allows you to bite and chew as you naturally would, so there are no limits on what you can eat.
Better Oral Health Overall
According to dentistsclinic.com.au, because dental implants work like natural teeth, you’ll only need to go to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. They also have a surgery success rate of over 96%. While your dentist might give you a specific routine to follow (i.e. using an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent possible infection), you can maintain your implants with the same proper oral hygiene procedures as your natural teeth. Brushing, rinsing, and flossing can continue to be part of your daily routine. Because the dental implants are securely attached, you won’t have to worry about pulling it loose or out.
Protect Your Natural Teeth and Jaw
If you don’t replace your teeth, you run the risk of causing even more damage to your mouth. Your teeth will try to move into the open space, tilting at angles that will require further, more complicated surgeries. There is also the chance of bone deterioration as the bones in the jaw weaken without teeth to support it. Dental implants have been shown to not only stop the deterioration, but to also prevent further bone loss and stimulate bone growth. In this capacity, the dental implants are both replacements and a preventative treatment.
They Won’t Fall Out
Dental implants are formed and anchored into your jawline. Because they are anchored into your natural bone, they will not slip or fall out like dentures. While the actual procedure might sound painful, the effects are quite easy and you’ll find the transition period short. With implants, you won’t have to worry about sneezing too hard, eating gooey foods, or using sticky denture adhesives. As the surgery sites heal over time, your dentures eventually fuse with your jawbone. This added security makes them more like real teeth, so you can smile, talk, and eat without anyone suspecting that you even have the implants.
Smile Without Worrying About Your Appearance
When you’re missing teeth, it’s hard to smile. But even without smiling, our teeth play a vital role in our appearance. The loss of teeth (and bone density) will cause the skin around your face to become more loose, and look sunken. Generally, this creates a sad appearance that could contribute to embarrassment and social awkwardness. Through the use of implants, you can retain your smile as well as maintain a youthful appearance. Studies have also shown that smiling helps in both social and professional situations. Smiling indicates that you’re confident, and can help you gain friends or that promotion.
Featured photo credit: rgerber via pixabay.com
