What are the benefits of dental implants?
Improved Appearance
When teeth are lost, the ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone makes your face look
older. Dental implants can stop this process. Traditional bridgework or
dentures do not. Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
Improved Comfort
Removable dentures sit on top of the gum and jawbone. As the bone shrinks, the
fit of the denture is affected, resulting in slipping teeth and sore spots.
Dental implants eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with removable
dentures. They are anchored securely to your jawbone, leaving you with teeth
that are stable, comfortable, and functional.
Improved Speech
Ill-fitting dentures cause your teeth to slip and slide around in your mouth.
Facial muscles are tensed in an attempt to hold the teeth in the proper
position. This often results in slurred speech or “clacking” noises. People
with these problems often become socially withdrawn due to fear of
embarrassment caused by their loose teeth. Teeth fixed to dental implants allow
you to speak with confidence and clarity in a relaxed, natural tone.
Improved Function
Scientific studies show that patients with excellent fitting dentures chew
their food at only 15-20% efficiency when compared to someone with natural
teeth. As the jawbone continues to shrink with time, the chewing efficiency is
reduced even more. People tend to alter their diet, excluding foods they can no
longer chew properly. Overall health and nutrition suffers when certain
important foods are eliminated from the diet. With the benefit of having teeth
securely anchored to your jaw, you will be able to once again eat your favorite
foods with confidence and without pain. You will be able to eat what everyone
else is eating and not even think twice about it. An implant retained fixed
bridge in your upper denture does not cover the roof of your mouth, allowing
you to taste and enjoy foods the way you used to.
Convenience
Dental implants can eliminate the many embarrassing inconveniences of removable
partial and full dentures. You no longer will need to apply gooey dental
adhesives throughout the day. You no longer will have to cover your mouth when
you laugh or smile for fear that your dentures will fall down or pop out of
your mouth.
Protect remaining natural teeth
When you choose dental implants over conventional bridgework, you preserve the
integrity of your natural teeth. There is no need to grind down otherwise
healthy teeth in order to have a permanent solution to missing teeth. You get
free-standing teeth that can be easily maintained with regular brushing and
flossing.
Improved self-esteem
Considering all the benefits discussed, dental implants can improve your
self-esteem. You may feel better about yourself. You can regain nearly all the
capabilities that you had with your natural teeth, giving you renewed
confidence. You will be able to enjoy life and do what everyone else is doing
without thinking twice about it.