People ask us a lot about dental implants these days. Perhaps they’re self-conscious because of missing teeth or wear dentures that are uncomfortable. Unfortunately, they’re not alone. Nearly 200 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and almost 35 million are missing all of their teeth.
Missing teeth can affect the appearance of your smile, your quality of life, and your health.
When you lose a tooth, you also lose the function of its root. The presence of the tooth root promotes the healthy growth of bone and tissue in your jaw. When the tooth root is gone, this process stops, and the jawbone slowly degrades. A missing root can also lead to misalignment, as surrounding teeth drift into the empty space. In addition, nutrition can suffer if missing teeth make folks avoid many healthy foods that require more chewing.
Dental implants are a popular, effective way to replace missing teeth. Made of biocompatible materials like titanium (also used in the knee or hip replacements), dental implants “osseointegrate” into your jaw, becoming strong anchors for replacement teeth that mimic your natural teeth. They can last a lifetime.
Through advances in minimally invasive technique, improved insurance coverage, and the availability of payment options, dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement and are a great option for patients wanting to maintain a beautiful and healthy smile.