Losing a tooth significantly impacts quality of life. Apart from making you self-conscious about smiling, it can lead to major changes in your face and affect everyday activities such as eating and speaking.
People worldwide are opting for dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants offer a permanent solution, as they are surgically placed into the jawbone.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small, screw-like post typically made of titanium that replaces the root of a missing tooth. It's surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration.
This fusion creates a strong foundation for supporting a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, bridge, or denture. With osseointegration, the prosthesis over the implant is securely retained, ensuring optimal functioning of the teeth so one can speak and eat properly.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants?
Usually, any person who has one or multiple missing teeth can get an implant. You should get a dental implant if:
Advantages of Getting Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement
Dental implants preserve jawbone health.
When a tooth is missing, the jawbone beneath it begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Dental implants act like natural tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and preventing bone loss. This helps maintain facial structure and prevents a sunken appearance.
Implants offer a more permanent solution to missing teeth.
Dental implants are made of high-quality biocompatible materials that are designed to last decades with proper care. With proper care and regular oral hygiene, your dental implants can last for years to come.
Dental implants can improve your quality of life.
Dental implants can significantly enhance your quality of life by providing stability and functionality akin to natural teeth, allowing for improved eating and speaking. They help maintain facial structure by preventing bone loss associated with missing teeth. Additionally, dental implants can boost self-confidence by restoring a natural-looking smile, which positively affects social and psychological well-being.
Dental implants improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Dental implants and prostheses (crowns, bridges, etc.) are specially designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. They provide a natural look and feel, boosting your confidence and overall appearance.
Dental implants are easier to maintain than bridges or dentures.
Dental implants offer a significant advantage when it comes to maintenance compared to bridges and dentures. Unlike bridges, where food particles can become trapped under the replacement tooth, dental implants allow for easier cleaning, similar to your natural teeth. Additionally, they eliminate the need for special cleaning solutions or adhesives required for removable dentures, simplifying your daily oral care routine.
Implants are a great investment in your smile and oral health, offering exceptional longevity when cared for properly. The good news is, caring for them is familiar territory – very similar to your natural teeth. To ensure their long-lasting function and beauty, brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss at least once a day, and maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Dr. Petros Yuvanoglu
DMD summa cum laude
Cert. Prosthodontics (Tufts, USA)
Adjunct Faculty, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Cert. Prosthodontics (Tufts, USA)
Adjunct Faculty, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
