Maybe you had to have a tooth extracted? Perhaps one of your teeth was knocked out during an athletic event? In either of these cases, you should consider getting a dental implant as a means of tooth replacement.
Why do people decide to get dental implants over other options? Why should you consider getting a dental implant? We’re going to discuss that and more in this article.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a permanent solution for tooth replacement. It involves having a titanium cylinder implanted into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Then, after the bone has grown around the cylinder, a synthetic tooth is placed on top of it, providing both the look and functionality of an authentic tooth.
Receiving a dental implant is a long and comprehensive procedure. It requires not only several dental visits but months of time until the titanium cylinder has set.
That said, it’s highly effective and essentially ensures that you never have to replace the affected tooth ever again. No other tooth replacement procedure provides this permanent benefit.
Who Typically Gets a Dental Implant?
Now, let’s move on to the big question: why do people get dental implants? Or, more specifically, who are the types of people who typically undergo dental implant procedures? They include the following:
Those Who Have Had Their Tooth Knocked Out
Maybe you were playing basketball? Perhaps you fell down unexpectedly? Regardless, your tooth was knocked out.
Now, if you want to preserve the look and functionality of your teeth, you have to undergo a tooth replacement of some kind. If you want permanent results, a dental implant is the only way to go.
Those Who Have Suffered Extreme Tooth Decay
Over time, teeth experience varying levels of decay. In many cases, this decay can be counteracted with fillings and root canals. Unfortunately, in some cases, the decay reaches a point of no repair.
In these cases, the entire tooth must be extracted, after which, it must be replaced as well. You could replace it with a bridge or a denture. However, if you want to replace missing teeth permanently, a dental implant is the way to go.
Those Who Are Experiencing Bone Loss in Their Jaw
Let’s say that you lost a tooth years ago and simply decided never to replace it. It’s just an aesthetic issue, right? Not necessarily.
In some cases, when you don’t replace a missing tooth, the bone around it will start to disappear. This will not only greatly affect the look of the teeth but the alignment of peripheral teeth as well. Therefore, a tooth replacement is recommended.
Any sort of tooth replacement will get the job done. However, if you want permanent results, a dental implant is your ideal option.
Those Whose Gums and Jawbone Are Healthy
In order to receive a dental implant, you must have fairly healthy gums and jawbone. If they’re weak, they won’t be able to hold on to the inserted metal rod. In other words, they won’t be able to facilitate a successful implant procedure.
To determine whether your gums and jawbone are healthy enough for an implant, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. They’ll assess your oral health and help you choose the right prosthetic teeth for your situation.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Now, let’s move on to the benefits of dental implants. The most prominent of these benefits include the following:
Enhanced Aesthetics
First and foremost, dental implants will help the aesthetics of your teeth and gums. These aren’t just lazy replacements for authentic teeth. They’re specifically designed to look like real teeth.
So, when a dental implant is inserted, your teeth will look the way that they did before the original tooth was lost. The implant will match the color of its neighboring teeth and will also possess the proper shape and size.
Prevention of Bone Loss
As noted above, if a lost tooth isn’t replaced, the bone underneath it will begin to disappear. Therefore, dental implants serve as excellent preventers of bone loss.
Yes, you could get the same results with bridges and dentures. However, dental implants are permanent.
Permanence
We’ve noted it several times throughout this article: dental implants are permanent. This isn’t to say that they couldn’t run into problems and require repair. However, in most cases, they’ll stay in place for the rest of the patient’s life.
No other tooth replacement option provides this benefit. In fact, most other options require attention within 7 to 10 years.
Keep Teeth Straight
Another thing that can happen when a tooth is lost and not replaced is that the surrounding teeth can start to grow toward the gap where the tooth once was. This can result in crooked teeth. Therefore, if you want your remaining teeth to stay straight, you need to replace the lost tooth.
A dental implant procedure is the way you should go if you want permanent results.
Prevention of Speech Impediments
The teeth are vital in helping humans to produce specific sounds with their mouths. In other words, they assist with speech. Therefore, if you lose a tooth and don’t replace it, you could develop a speech impediment.
You can prevent that speech impediment permanently with the help of a dental implant.
Looking to Get a Dental Implant?
What do you think? Is a dental implant right for you? Interested in getting a dental implant in Sarasota, FL?
If so, Sarasota Periodontal Associates have you covered. Our team of skilled and friendly dental professionals has supplied dental implants to countless Sarasota area residents and looks forward to doing the same for you.
Contact us today to get the process started!
