Understanding the Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant is a long-term oral health option for replacing at least one missing tooth. Since it requires that a screw or post be inserted into the jawbone, many people are hesitant to commit to the process when there are alternative options like dentures. However, dental implants offer numerous benefits that dentures do not, and it is worthwhile to consider their advantages over the long term.

Dental implants over the long term

During the dental implant installation procedure, the dentist places a metal rod into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. While implant integration can take a while, the result has many benefits.

Jawbone stimulation

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants over any other type of tooth replacement option is their ability to stimulate the jawbone. Natural tooth roots are situated inside the bones of the face, and when people chew, that force is transferred into these bones.

However, when a tooth is missing, the bone will gradually begin to atrophy (get thinner and weaker) due to the lack of stimulation from the tooth roots. After a while, this can become apparent in the shape of the face, which may begin to look hollow as the bone density decreases. Since dental implants are screwed into the bone, they provide the same stimulation as natural roots to avoid this problem.

Long-lasting material

Dental implants are sturdy due in part to the metal “root” in the jawbone and to the crown used as the tooth replacement. This prosthetic can be made of various materials according to where it will be placed in the mouth and what forces it will be under. Generally, a dental implant can last for more than a decade with no issue, and many people enjoy their implants for 20 years or more.

If an implant does need replacement, the process is simple. Only the crown typically needs to be replaced (not the metal rod), and it can be popped off and swapped with a new crown in a single appointment.

Similarity to natural appearance

The crown portion of a dental implant can be made using materials that closely resemble the appearance of natural teeth. From the sheen to the semi-transparency, dental implants look indistinguishable from the nearby teeth, so patients do not need to worry about feeling self-conscious.

A consistent bite

Another advantage of dental implants is that they can closely replicate the bite that a person had before the tooth was lost. This ensures that the mouth functions properly, rather than forcing the patient to adapt to a solution that can gradually alter their bite, strain their chewing muscles, and result in soreness or unnecessary wear on the other teeth.