People who are missing one or more of their natural teeth face a variety of problems. Aside from the obvious aesthetic issues associated with having gaps in a smile, which can be the source of great self-consciousness for many people, missing teeth can pose serious oral health problems. Over time, the structure that underlies the space once occupied by a tooth will begin to erode, almost as though the gum and jawbone, realizing that it no longer serves any useful purpose, make a conscious decision to retire. The teeth surrounding a gap respond by shifting out of their ideal position toward the empty space. As a result, the bite weakens, and the face, no longer fully supported by healthy bone and gum, begins to sag and become sunken.
Functional Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide the most stable and durable solution to these oral health problems. By replacing the natural tooth root with a strong titanium post, dental implants "trick" the bone and gum into returning to duty while keeping the natural teeth from encroaching upon the once-vacant space. Because titanium is not treated as foreign matter by the human body, the dental implant integrates with the natural anatomy and is unlikely to be rejected. Both the implant and the
crown, bridge, or full set of dentures attached to it, will restore the mouth back to full strength, allowing wearers to eat, speak, and smile with absolute assurance.
Cosmetic Benefits of Dental Implants
Of course, the aesthetic benefits of dental implants are equally impressive. Because implants allow the replacement tooth or teeth to be attached below the gum line, the results are more realistic looking than are possible with other methods of restoration. Indeed, to the naked eye, a smile restored with dental implants looks no different from a smile full of healthy natural teeth. Although the actual restorations may need to be repaired or replaced every decade or so, the titanium posts can last a lifetime with proper care. Truly, no other cosmetic dentistry option offers the same permanence or stability.