What are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?

Millions of Americans deal with missing teeth. This is a problem that may be caused by any number of factors, ranging from tooth decay to periodontal disease to facial trauma. Regardless of the cause of those missing teeth, it is important to address them promptly; doing so not only restores your smile, but also prevents further damage to your jaw and to your remaining teeth.

Dental implants represent one of the top options for addressing lost teeth. In fact, there are a number of benefits to getting dental implants placed.

Why Get Dental Implants?

Preserve Your Jawbone

One surprising reason why dental implants are so advantageous is that they prevent the deterioration of your jawbone. When you lose a tooth, it leaves an abscess in the bone; without anything there to stimulate it, bone tissue will gradually deplete. In fact, if you do not replace your missing tooth within a year’s time, you may lose up to 25 percent of the volume of the underlying jawbone. Dental implants help you prevent bone loss, and ultimately, the deterioration of your facial structure.

Get Immediate, Long-Lasting Results

While dental implant procedures can vary in their complexity, some patients can have their lost teeth beautifully restored in as little as one procedure. Dental implants offer fairly quick results, and yet those results are also long-lasting. Compare this with other procedures, like dental bridges, which sometimes last no more than a decade. For most patients, implants will last a lifetime.

Restore the Natural Look and Feel of Your Teeth

Dental implants are meant to be indistinguishable from your natural teeth, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Not only will your smile look fully healthy and restored, but you will be able to eat with complete normality. In fact, some patients say that they cannot tell the difference between their artificial teeth and their natural ones.

Keep Teeth in Their Proper Positions

One potential effect of a missing tooth is that it causes the other teeth to shift their position. This can impact your appearance, it can affect your bite, and it can even lead to receding gums and an increased risk of periodontal disease. What is more, if you delay treatment and your teeth shift out of position, it can make your eventual tooth replacement more complicated. Getting dental implants can be a quick and effective way to avoid these problems.

Prevent Gum Disease

When you leave a gap in your teeth, it can become a magnet for food particles and bacteria build-up. In the long run, it can increase your risk of gum disease significantly. Again, dental implants provide an effective way to minimize this risk.

Explore Further Benefits of Dental Implants

If you have additional questions about the benefits of getting dental implants or want to know whether they are a good treatment option to address your oral health needs, we welcome you to learn more about Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

Set up a consultation with us, and we will direct you toward a fully informed decision about dental implants.