If you have a missing tooth, you may be wondering about getting a dental implant, but may be concerned about the cost. You may also be wondering about the benefits of dental implants and if it is worth the money. Dental implants are excellent for replacing missing teeth, and offer some key benefits that other tooth replacement options don’t.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are titanium posts or screws that are affixed into your jaw bone. These posts are like artificial tooth roots. Over time, the post becomes fused to your jaw bone, and once the healing process is complete, a dental crown, or artificial tooth, can be attached to the post using an abutment.
The dental surgery is safe, and has a high success rate, making this a reliable method of restoring missing teeth.
How Do Dental Implants Help?
Dental implants offer a wide range of advantages over other tooth replacement options, which make a dental implant procedure well worth considering.
Teeth Spacing and Preventing Further Issues
Over time, if the gap from a lost tooth is left untreated, the remaining natural teeth can start to shift. A dental implant will hold the spacing to prevent this. Although other tooth replacement options will do this, dental implants are exceptional for this.
In addition to being misaligned teeth, the shifted teeth are more at risk for tooth decay. With shifting, the teeth can even start to become loose and fall out.
Closest Thing to Real Teeth
With the artificial root aspect of implants, they are more secure and act more like real teeth than any other tooth replacement option. The dental crown, or visible part of the implant, looks extremely natural. You are able to floss and keep your implant clean just like a normal tooth in your mouth.
Prevent Bone Loss
One of the biggest issues associated with missing teeth is the loss of bone density that occurs when the tooth root is no longer there to stimulate the jaw bone to maintain bone mass. Eventually, the bone deteriorates significantly, which can lead to more tooth loss and affect facial structure.
However, a dental implant post acts like an artificial tooth root for the missing tooth, helping to preserve your jaw bone and facial structure by stimulating the jawbone to prevent bone loss.
Easier Eating and Speaking
Many people with dental implants find it easier to eat and speak, compared to a gap or other tooth replacement options. Dental implants don’t shift, slip or fall out, making chewing and talking more natural.
Better Comfort
Because dental implants don’t shift, they are more comfortable than options like removable dentures or bridges, which may not always fit securely, creating sore spots. Implants allow for a tight, immovable hold for a proper bite and adhesives are never required.
If multiple missing teeth need to be replaced, the dental implants can be used to secure an implant-supported bridge, without damaging the teeth surrounding the gap. Ordinary bridges require the teeth on either side of the gap to be resized to accommodate the bridge to be fitted and anchored. Using dental implants eliminates the need to do this. An implant-supported bridge is more firmly secured than traditional dentures and regular dental bridges, for a more secure and comfortable option for those needing several teeth to be replaced.
Cost-Effective Over the Long Term
With good care, dental implants last a long time, and are the longest lasting solution for missing teeth.
In addition, because implants can support improved oral health, by preserving your facial structure, and preventing bone loss and shifting teeth, as well as oral health concerns, they can save you money in the long run. You do not eventually end up spending money on expensive dental surgeries and other restorative treatments, like bone grafts or restoring new gaps. You can prevent having to spend money treating these issues that are associated with tooth loss with a dental implant because it supports the neighboring teeth and bone.
Take Care of Both Natural Teeth and Tooth Implants to Maximize the Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are expected to last over 25 years, with a 95% to 98% success rate. With proper care, implants can be supported to last as long as possible. Fortunately, maintaining them is the same way you take care of your other teeth – with excellent oral hygiene.
To avoid infection and gum disease, and reduce the risks of dental implant failure, proper oral hygiene is necessary.
Regular dental cleanings and exams are also important to ensure dental implants are in good condition, and that any concerns are addressed early before they can impact the condition or stability of implants.
At Onyx Dental, we offer dental implant surgery to help our patients. While dental insurance generally doesn’t cover dental implants, or only partially, as the procedure is considered cosmetic surgery, we believe patients should have the opportunity to benefit from implants. We also believe in making dentistry affordable, so offer payment plan options, and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Discover affordable dental implants in Erin Mills at Onyx Dental – (905) 567-4999, 2555 Erin Centre Blvd Unit 12, Mississauga, ON L5M 5H1. We offer flexible payment plans for your convenience.
