Living with gaps in your smile won’t just cause your confidence to decline—it will also put you at an increased risk of developing oral health problems that could jeopardize your remaining healthy teeth or gums. When patients go shopping for the best tooth replacement options, they often gravitate towards dental implants in San Diego because they offer a variety of unique benefits that are unmatched by traditional restorative solutions. Read on to learn five reasons why dental implants are the most popular tooth-replacement choice among patients.
Prevention of Jawbone Loss
Dental implants are placed in your jawbone, allowing them to fuse with it through a natural process called osseointegration. This allows the implant to replace the missing root of your tooth and continue providing stimulation and blood flow to your jawbone. Without a root or if you were to just get a traditional restoration, your jawbone would slowly deteriorate over the years.
Preservation of the Facial Structure
As mentioned above, traditional restorations don’t replace the portion of your missing tooth that lies below the gums, which could cause issues down the road. One of the effects of jawbone deterioration that many people who get dentures notice is a changing facial structure. This is most noticeable in the cheeks. Over time, they can appear sunken in, saggy, or droopy, causing you to look older than you actually are. Because dental implants prevent jaw bone loss, patients don’t have to worry about a changing facial structure.
Enhanced Eating & Speaking Abilities
People who get removable dentures to replace their missing teeth are often dismayed by the lack of stability that they offer. Some patients notice that their restorations slip and shift when they speak or eat, creating awkward social encounters and frustrating moments where they feel like they don’t have complete control over their mouth. Because dental implants don’t rely on natural suction to stay in place, you won’t have to worry about your restorations moving an inch, making them feel and look completely natural.
No Alteration of Natural Teeth Required
Traditional tooth replacement options, such as dental bridges, often required altering your surrounding healthy teeth in order to anchor them in place. Unfortunately, this part of the treatment puts those teeth at risk. Whether you replace one or several teeth with dental implants, you won’t have to worry about having to alter your healthy, natural teeth, because they’re anchored to the post that is placed below your gums, not your other teeth.
35+ Year Lifespan
For many people, the thought of having to get traditional restorations replaced every 5 to 7 years is a big enough reason to invest in dental implants. Although they have a higher up-front price tag, they can save you money in the long-run because they last 35 or more years with daily maintenance and care.
The best way to learn more about dental implants and how you can restore your smile with the best treatment for your unique needs is to visit your dentist in San Diego. Their team will be able to get you started on your journey towards achieving a confident and fully-functional smile.
About the Author
Dr. Peter Johnson is a talented and highly skilled dentist who is a Board-Certified Prosthodontist. He has completed countless additional education courses and training in specialties that allow him to rebuild his patient’s smiles to be beautiful, functional, and long-lasting. He offers a variety of tooth replacement treatments, including dental implants, that are custom-tailored to fit his patients’ needs. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit San Diego Denture & Implant Specialists’ website or call 619-463-3737.
