6 Ways Dental Implants Can Improve Your Life

If you’re missing a few teeth and are looking for the best option to rejuvenate your smile, consider dental implants. Choosing to undergo surgery is an understandably difficult decision, but it may be easier once you know all the benefits dental implants provide.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants serve as replacement teeth. They include a metal fixture inserted in the jawbone to mimic a tooth root and a crown crafted to match your natural smile. All dental implants are strong enough to withstand chewing and speaking, and should last a lifetime if properly maintained. There are two main types of dental implants.

Endosteal

In patients with excellent remaining jawbone structure, endosteal implants are the most common option. These implants, which are usually made of titanium and shaped like small screws, are surgically implanted into the jawbone.

A second surgery will connect an abutment to each of the original implants following successful binding of the bone to the implant and healing of the gum tissue. In the final step, artificial teeth are attached to the abutments individually.

This form of dental implant can also be used to secure bridges or dentures. In that procedure, multiple implants will be placed to act as anchors, essentially performing the same function as tooth roots for the dental device. Specialized abutments are attached to the implant and the dentures or bridge, allowing them to snap into place on the implants.

Subperiosteal

In this procedure, a metal frame is fitted onto the jawbone just below the gum tissue. As the gums heal over the frame, it fixes itself to the bone. The posts are attached to the frame and protrude through the gums, ready to be mounted with replacement teeth.

Cosmetic Benefits of Dental Implants

Trusting your surgeon to place dental implants will drastically improve your overall appearance and health in several ways.

Restore and Renew Your Self-Confidence

Having a full set of pearly whites once again will help you feel better and more confident in yourself. Dental implants take away the stress and anxiety of eating, laughing and smiling around other people because they allow you to throw mouth-hiding techniques out the window. Recreating your smile means the appearance of your teeth will no longer dictate how you live your life.

Enhance Your Appearance

As people say, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” By restoring and renewing your sense of self-confidence, your attitude toward life and willingness to smile is bound to improve. No longer will you need to hide your emotions for fear of people seeing your missing teeth.

Your smile will also look and function like it did when you were younger, no doubt making you feel, and possibly act, younger in the process. Dental implants are a surefire way to help you put your best foot forward.

Retain Your Face Shape

Missing teeth can lead to bone loss and cause your face to collapse inward or sag. Implants can stop further bone loss and restore the natural shape of your face, enhancing your smile and making you appear healthier.

Health Benefits of Dental Implants

No More Cavities

No matter how realistic they appear, dental implants don’t age the same way natural teeth do. This means that patients who receive dental implants will no longer get cavities or abscesses. However, implants will still get dirty and suffer some wear and tear.

Enhance Your Quality of Life

Unlike partial dentures, implants don’t require the same bothersome cleaning, eating and speaking habits. With implants, you’ll be able to eat any kind of food and speak and smile more easily. Because implants are permanent, you will no longer need to use messy adhesives or unsightly and destructive metal clasps to keep your smile looking great.

Improve Your Overall Health

A lost tooth doesn’t only affect your physical appearance — it can also detract from your overall oral health in major ways.

Missing teeth can cause serious problems like bone loss and receding gums. Your remaining teeth will also shift to fill gaps by crowding together, throwing off the natural balance in your mouth. Dental implants will restore your mouth’s equilibrium and prevent your teeth from overcrowding or becoming crooked.

Dental Implants in Louisville, KY

If you’re considering dental implants to restore your smile to its former glory, consult the talented surgeons at Greater Louisville Oral and Maxillofacial. Our team of professionals will create a replacement solution for your missing teeth and help you get back to doing the things you love in no time. Schedule your consultation online today or call (502) 459-8012.