Many people with missing teeth suffer from confidence issues, feeling embarrassed to smile or laugh without covering their mouths. They may also find it challenging or impossible to eat hard or chewy foods, like an apple or a juicy steak. Gaps between teeth are also ideal bacteria breeding grounds, resulting in gum disease.
If you experience any of these issues because of missing teeth, you may want to consider dental implants. There are many dental implant benefits that can increase your mental and physical health, including improving your confidence and reducing your risk of infection.
Dental Implants Benefits vs. Dentures
Dental implants are not the only option for replacing missing teeth. However, they are the only permanent option and have several benefits when compared to dentures, including:
- No special care required, just regular brushing
- No need to remove while eating or sleeping
- Extensive health benefits
- Look and function like natural teeth
- Last for life, unlike dentures, which need to be changed every five to seven years
- No embarrassing or uncomfortable slipping like dentures
How do Dental Implants Work?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that inserts directly into your jawbone. The process often involves two surgeries and several appointments with your dentist.
The first step is an initial consultation, where your dentist determines if dental implant surgery is right for you. If you have gum disease or have experienced too much bone loss, you may need a bone graft or a sinus lift before starting the dental implant process.
After taking X-rays and thoroughly examining your mouth, your dentist schedules surgery to place the dental implants into your jaw. At Toothsome, we offer both traditional and keyhole surgery options.
The traditional surgery requires cutting through the gum to expose the bone, while the flapless keyhole surgery doesn’t require opening the gum. We may be able to attach the abutment, a small hook for the artificial tooth, to your implant during this surgery, but most typically, we do this once the site has healed and the implant has fused with your jawbone.
Your recovery time depends on the type of surgery you have, your overall health, and how many dental implants you receive.
Although you can return to everyday life almost immediately, you’ll need to wait until the dental implant has fused to your bone before receiving your artificial tooth.
At Toothsome, we collaborate with your regular dentist to ensure your crown is customised to your specific needs.
Dental Implant Benefits for Mental Health
Because a dental implant looks so similar to a natural tooth, you will find yourself regaining your confidence and smiling more naturally and fully after your surgery.
- Regain Confidence
In addition to improving your mood, a natural, easy smile can help improve your chances in a job interview, put customers at ease, and make it easier to connect with friends and romantic interests.
It can be exhausting to always think about covering your mouth or hiding your missing teeth. With dental implants, you no longer need to worry about your smile and can focus on connecting with people.
- Eat What You Want
You’ll no longer need to determine if food is too hard or chewy for your damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants are topped by durable crowns that enable you to eat and drink the same foods you enjoy with all-natural teeth. However, you may want to limit coffee and other pigmented foods and beverages to prevent staining your dental crown.
- Improve Your Speech
Missing teeth can also affect how you talk. You may develop a lisp or find it challenging to say certain words. The more gaps you have, the more your speech is likely to be affected. With dental implants, you’ll find it easier to speak clearly.
Dental Implant Benefits for Oral Health
In addition to feeling more confident about yourself, you’ll also notice several dental implant benefits for your other teeth, gums, and general oral health.
- Lower Risk of Cavities
Particularly if your missing teeth are near the back of your mouth, you may find it difficult to ensure you thoroughly clean the area. If you have broken teeth, bits of food can get stuck and eventually cause bacteria to develop. Bacteria in your teeth can result in cavities and further tooth loss.
Although visiting your dentist for regular cleanings can help avoid gum disease and ensure cleaner teeth, dental implants make it easier for you to keep your teeth clean at home.
- Halt Bone Loss
One of the most significant dental implant benefits is the increase in jaw density. Because the dental implant sits directly in your jaw and fuses to the bone, it helps to increase your bone density. Missing teeth often cause softening and resorption of the jawbone, resulting in a deformed jaw, a sunken face, changes to your bite, or contribute to more tooth loss.
The process of osseointegration, a crucial aspect of the dental implant procedure, strengthens the jaw, and prevents further bone loss.
Contact Toothsome for a Consultation
A dental implant benefits your oral and mental health and improves your smile. If you have missing teeth and want to learn more about whether dental implants are right for you, call Toothsome today on (02) 9159 3728 to schedule an initial appointment.
In addition to dental implant surgery, we offer periodontics and oral surgery services to help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
