5 Reasons People Are Choosing Dental Implants Today

Patients prefer dental implants

Why are so many people turning to dental implants to restore their smiles?

Our smiles are important for so many reasons. Not only does smiling help boost your self-confidence, but it can also make you appear more welcoming to others. But when you are missing teeth, the chances are that you don’t feel much like smiling. You may feel hopeless and will never be able to regain the smile you once had. Thankfully, that doesn’t need to be the case. Dental implants can help restore your smile and are an increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry treatment.

Dental implant placement has become more popular than ever in recent years. According to the ​​American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), 3 million people in the United States have dental implants. And that number is increasing by about 500,000 people each year. Insurance companies are following suit as more and more are beginning to provide some coverage to patients electing to get dental implants to replace their missing teeth. So why are these dental implants so popular?

1. Dental implants look and feel natural.

Often, patients tell us that they fear replacing their missing teeth because they don’t want a mouth full of metal. And though metal crowns and fillings were used more frequently in the past, that isn’t how dental implants work, and we’re excited to tell our patients that their fears are simply a misconception. Dental implants are custom designed to fit precisely in your mouth and to look and feel like your natural teeth. After your dental implants have healed, no one will know that you have them except you, your dental team, and those you choose to tell.

2. Dental implants can help prevent additional tooth loss.

When you have missing teeth, a gap is left where those teeth used to be. Over time, your remaining teeth can start to shift into that open space. Dental implants can help you avoid further tooth loss by supporting your adjacent teeth. When your remaining teeth on either side of the gap have something to retain them, they are less likely to shift and loosen. Your missing teeth can also contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. Dental implants fill the space and eliminate that concern.

3. Dental implants stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss.

Dental implants help maintain your jawbone density by stimulating new jawbone growth, just like natural tooth roots. When you have missing teeth, your jawbone can deteriorate, leading to facial collapse. Many patients with missing teeth, even those with dentures, experience jawbone resorption, which makes their faces look hollow and narrow. This is not a concern, however, with dental implants because they help keep that bone stimulated and healthy.

4. Dental implants can last nearly 25 years.

One of the most common questions that we are asked by our patients is: How long do dental implants last? Though the answer will vary from patient to patient, you can anticipate that your dental implants can last around 25 years. Your oral hygiene, eating, smoking, and drinking habits, as well as the implant position, your bone density, and your overall health, are all significant contributors to the potential longevity of your implants.

Caring for your dental implants doesn’t need to be complicated either. Just be sure to brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss at least once daily between all teeth (implants too) and gums, rinse your mouth before bed with a fluoride mouthwash, and visit your dentist at least once every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral evaluation.

5. Dental implants can help prevent periodontitis.

When you have missing teeth, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities. And when gum disease isn’t treated early on, it can lead to a much more severe form: periodontitis. Further, it is challenging to brush and floss your teeth when they have shifted or rotated into those empty spaces. Those areas can trap plaque, bacteria, and food debris. Getting dental implants and practicing good oral hygiene can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease.

Compass Dental Group offers dental implants near Maryville, Missouri.

If you have missing teeth and are ready to regain your smile, there is no time like the present to request an appointment with Compass Dental Group in Maryville, Missouri. Why live with missing teeth when there are permanent replacement options available? 

The team at Compass Dental Group is committed to guiding you and your family toward lasting oral health and wellness. So whether you are in need of a solution for your missing teeth, overdue for your six-month dental cleaning and oral evaluation, or are looking for a new dental home near Maryville, Missouri, we can help. We look forward to meeting you soon.