Dental Implants: What Are They and Who Needs Them?
Losing a permanent tooth due to decay or another issue can be devastating. Thanks to the power of technology, however, there is a common way to deal with restorative care. Dental implants are the most popular way to treat tooth loss. The procedure roots an artificial replacement tooth directly into your jawbone, where it looks as natural as your original tooth. Dental implants are a necessity when someone loses a permanent tooth; otherwise, there can be a domino effect that can lead to complications for both your bite and tooth alignment.
What Causes Tooth Loss?
There are many reasons someone might lose a permanent tooth. Things like lack of good oral care, severe decay, gum disease, or even a mouth injury can all lead to tooth loss. An implant is not the only option, but it is the best because it not only replaces the missing tooth; it provides a root structure as well. If not addressed, losing a tooth can alter not just your smile and bite alignment; it can affect your health in many other critical ways.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a replacement tooth that looks as natural as your original tooth. It has a titanium root that is directly inserted into the jawbone, where it helps to support a crown or bridge.
When are Dental Implants Necessary?
When you lose a tooth, dental implants help to support dentures, crowns, and bridges. Replacing the tooth is critical to reduce the risk of further complications. Dental implants are not only an excellent way to keep a beautiful smile for aesthetic purposes; they are a must for your overall oral health. They help to support a patient’s proper bite and their jawbone health, and they reduce the risk of bone deterioration. Your jawbone is influenced by the pressures of chewing, which can begin to wear away at the bone.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants help to prevent bone loss. The jawbone can start to deteriorate if there is no stimulation. And if you do not replace a tooth, the remaining bone will lose as much as 25% of the total volume in the first year and continue to deteriorate as you age. Dentures, an alternative to dental implants, can accelerate bone degradation by wearing your bone away. Dental implants also help to keep your adjacent teeth in place and stable.
If you don’t fill in the gap where a tooth is missing, this can pull the other teeth out of their original position, leading to an improper bite and issues like TMJ Disorder. Dental implants can also help to fight against gum disease; a tooth’s absence can lead to food getting trapped and the growth of bacteria. And over time, a missing tooth can lead to premature aging and sagging of your facial bones, which only gets worse as you age.
At Elke Cheung Dentistry, we have the latest technology for tooth and oral restorative care. We offer the best cosmetic procedures in the industry to ensure that you maintain good oral care and a healthy smile. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.