If you’re thinking about dental implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth, the chances are that you may have some questions. Are they the best option for you? Are dental implants expensive? Are you a suitable candidate? Will your dental implants look natural?
Dental implants look like a natural tooth
Once a dental implant is fitted with its prosthetic tooth, the result looks completely natural. The prosthetic tooth sits flush to the gum line, so no-one will be able to spot which are your real teeth and which are restorations.
Dental implants behave like a natural tooth
One of the greatest benefits of dental implants is that they behave like natural teeth, providing a strength and function that is unrivaled by other restorations. Because the dental implant itself is anchored firmly in your jaw bone, much like a natural root, it gives the false tooth stability.
Dental implants can prevent bone loss
One of the side effects of losing a tooth is that you also begin to lose bone mass around the missing tooth site. This is because there is no longer a root there to encourage the ossification/strengthening of the bone. By placing a dental implant in your jaw bone, it stimulates new bone growth through a process called osseointegration. This can help to prevent future bone loss.
Dental implants support your facial structure
Following on from point 3 above, it’s a bone loss that can give people with missing teeth a sunken, aging appearance around the mouth that goes on to impact the structure of the whole face. By helping to keep your jaw bones strong, dental implants can help to preserve your facial structure.
Dental implants are long-lasting
Like your natural teeth, with the right care, dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime.