Dental Implants: Are they really worth the investment?
Dental implants can actually prove to be a vital component in a person’s dental and overall health. When someone loses a tooth, there’s nothing for the bone to anchor to. As time passes, the bone slowly begins to recede. This is why edentulous patients – those who have lost all of their teeth – have jaw bones that get smaller and smaller.
This loss of bone can put other teeth in jeopardy. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth can also experience bone loss. Additionally, with nothing to hold the teeth in position, they begin to drift into the open spot. This causes all sorts of problems, including the inability to properly clean the teeth, and can affect your bite. This can lead to decay, gum disease, cracked teeth, and jaw pain.
Another issue that arises with missing teeth is malnutrition. The more teeth a person loses, the harder it is to chew foods properly. And it can be harder to eat foods that have a lot of nutrients (fresh fruits and vegetables) because they tend to be hard and crunchy.
A dental implant replaces the root of a tooth that it lost. This means that the bone has something to grow around and will not recede away. After the implant has stabilized and your dentist says it is ready, a tooth can be attached to the top of the implant. When you are finished, you will have a hard time telling the difference between a natural tooth and an implant tooth!
The benefits of dental implants go way beyond a pretty smile. They’re something that can keep a person’s mouth and body healthy.