Explore the Benefits of Dental Implants for Your Overall Health and Wellness

Did you know that at least 450,000 dental implant placements occur every year? Or that these dental implants can last for 20 years or longer?

This unparalleled longevity is only one of the many benefits of dental implants, though. They also preserve the rest of your teeth, keep your jawbone healthy, and help restore gum health. They can even help keep your tummy (and entire body) in tip-top condition!

Ready to learn more about dental implants and how they can deliver all these benefits? Then let’s get right into it!

Dental implants not only look like natural teeth…

…They also function much like your natural pearly whites. That’s because implants aren’t superficial; they also act as a replacement tooth root. Replacing the lost tooth root means that they integrate (osseointegrate) with the jawbone and the gums.

As a result, implants are much more stable and secure, which is also why they last so long. In addition, their osseointegration provides the jawbone its needed stimulation. This, in turn, helps keep the bone from “melting” back into the body.

Saved teeth save teeth.

Dental implants help preserve not only the jaw but also your remaining natural teeth. This is especially true for teeth that are adjacent to the implanted tooth, which can shift into the extra space.

Dental implants don’t require modifications to existing healthy, adjacent teeth. The dentist will make the tooth implant in a way that fits the gap perfectly so the surrounding teeth don’t need size adjustments.

Since the implant is an exact fit, it gets rid of gaps that can harbor decay-causing bacteria that could affect surrounding teeth. This means you’ll have fewer tooth cavity concerns to worry about!

Minimizes tooth movement.

Tooth loss can give rise to an oral health problem called occlusal disease. You may have heard of this referred to as malocclusion. It occurs when the teeth or the upper and lower jaw become misaligned.

Losing teeth can cause such maladies because of the gaps they leave behind. With more free space to move around, the remaining teeth will shift over time. This will then make them move out of their proper places, and in some cases, even become twisted.

The jawbone can also develop problems because part of it  is reabsorbed due to tooth loss. In the first year alone, the jawbone can lose as much as 25% of its structure! Within the next couple of years, the bone width can decrease by up to 40%.

Preserving the jawbone involves applying pressure and stimulation through chewing. This is something that only natural teeth and dental implants can provide. As such, replacing lost teeth with implants can help you keep your jawbone healthy and strong.

Helps stop and reverse periodontitis.

Periodontitis, or periodontal (gum) disease, is the main culprit behind tooth loss. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can also spread to and destroy the gum tissues. Plaque, which is full of bacteria, is the primary cause of both these oral health problems.

The thing is, leaving the gums toothless makes them more prone to developing diseases. For starters, toothlessness exposes a more significant portion of the sensitive gum tissues. This, in turn, gives the bacteria in the mouth more places to hide and launch their attack.

In addition, exposed gums are more prone to injury, say from hard foods that you bite and chew. When injured, the bacteria can then invade the open areas of the tissue. From there, they can begin to destroy more of the gingival tissues.

Dental implants can help prevent gum disease since they get rid of these exposed spaces. Also, the implant process itself requires the gums to be healthy so your dentist will first treat any existing gum disease. So, not only do dental implants give you back your chewing power, they also help you put a stop to existing periodontitis.

Reduces risks of nutritional deficiencies.

Many studies have found evidence that tooth loss impacts dietary intake. In one study, the findings revealed that people with missing teeth had lower vitamin C levels. They also had a reduced intake of meat, fruits, and vegetables, which then led to reduced energy levels.

Moreover, these patients showed an increased risk of choking and gastrointestinal issues.

A lack of vitamin C is a big concern, as it’s one of the most potent immunity boosters out there. This is even more important for the health of older adults, as aging can affect immune functions.

Implants, seeing as they help recover the bite’s power, can help keep these dietary issues at bay. You’ll be able to eat crunchy and healthy food options such as fresh vegetables and whole fruits. You’ll also regain your chomping ability to eat protein-filled meats, seeds, and grains.

Improved oral hygiene.

Dental implants are just like natural teeth, so they have similar maintenance requirements. You’d brush and floss them the same way that you do with your pearly whites.

Also, high-quality implants, like those created with E4D technology, are very durable. They won’t stain or get damaged by the active ingredients in some mouthwashes.

All in all, dental implants don’t require specialized cleaning solutions. Since taking care of them is the same as looking after your natural teeth, they make it easier to achieve better oral health.

Enjoy the benefits of dental implants for a healthier, happier life.

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits of dental implants, which explains their popularity. Their longevity will let you enjoy their great looks and uses for a much longer time. Plus, they’re easier to take care of, as they only need at-home care and regular dental cleanings.

Since implants also benefit the rest of your body by preserving your oral health, they can help you live a healthier, more satisfying life.

If you’d like to know more about dental implants in Philadelphia, please feel free to get in touch with us. Our team will be more than happy to answer all your tooth implant questions.

Restore your smile’s look and function with dental implants.

Did you know that just a century ago half the population of North America was missing a tooth? While dentistry has advanced significantly and the general population now better understands the importance of oral hygiene, over 10% of today’s population aged 65 and over are experiencing tooth loss. Advanced periodontitis, a trauma such as a fall or car accident, extensive dental decay—these are just a few reasons many people experience tooth loss.

The good news is that dentistry has also come a long way in providing solutions for tooth loss. And dental implants are by far the solution with the most benefits.

Below are 8 amazing benefits of dental implants. Read on to discover what they can do for you.

1. Change the appearance of your smile.

Feeling self-conscious about a missing tooth can affect your day-to-day life and your interactions with people around you. On top of that, science has proven that the act of smiling actually makes you feel happier as your brain releases all of those feel-good hormones. A dental implant is the closest thing to a replacement tooth that modern dentistry can provide, so if you find yourself avoiding situations where you may flash your grin, a dental implant may be able to restore your confidence.

2. They look like your teeth.

Dental implants are one of modern dentistry’s most natural-looking options for replacing a tooth or teeth, so put aside those images of cookie-cutter prosthetics. Each implant is specially crafted to match your unique smile—even down to the color-matched shade, and any unique features you may want to preserve. By the time your implant is complete, no one will be able to guess which is your natural tooth and which is your implant.

3. Implants function like real teeth.

Not only do dental implants look like your natural teeth, but they function exactly like your natural teeth (if not better). Because an implant is permanently placed in your jawbone, it is as strong and secure as your other teeth. During your recovery period after having the first stage of your implant placed in your jaw, your bone actually begins to grow around the post, which further increases its strength and stability. The implant fuses with your bone, a process called osseointegration, literally becoming part of your body. Another benefit of this is that dental implants don’t require any special care, other than your usual oral hygiene routine.

4. They restore the function of your bite.

A missing tooth doesn’t just affect your confidence, it can have an impact on your oral health as well. The space that a missing tooth creates can cause your other teeth to start moving into that space. This can change the alignment of your bite and jaw, which can then create problems such as trouble chewing and biting, risk of dental injuries, and jaw pain. You may notice that you only chew on one side to avoid jaw pain, or restrict your diet to softer foods that don’t aggravate tender spots. A dental implant can help restore function to your bite so you can enjoy all the foods that you used to—even hard and crunchy foods.

5. They restore your speech.

When we speak, we do it automatically without thinking about how our lips, tongue, and teeth all work together to create specific sounds. A missing tooth or teeth can impact your ability to clearly form certain sounds, as many of them rely on the tongue or lips having contact with your teeth in a certain way. As a result, your speech may begin to sound slurred or as though you have a lisp. Using a dental implant to restore your missing tooth, enables all those elements to work together effectively. The precise fit of this type of prosthetic also means you don’t have to worry about anything slipping or coming loose and affecting your speech.

6. Dental implants are permanent.

Dental implants are not the only option to replace a missing tooth. In fact, many people live perfectly happily with dentures or bridges, but these options are not a permanent solution to missing teeth—dental implants are. Dental implants will not slip, pop out, or need adjustments. While dental implants can be more expensive to place, the benefit is that they are very cost effective if you compare them with the cost of regular denture adjustments and replacements.

7. They’re low-maintenance.

One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that their permanent placement, strength, and durability mean they don’t require a specialized care regimen. You’ll still need to maintain an excellent at-home, oral care routine, and see your dentist for regular cleanings in order to care for your natural teeth as well as your implant. Not only will you have a beautiful smile you can feel good about, but your new tooth won’t suffer from sensitivity to hot and cold or suffer from cavities. The surrounding tissue and teeth in your mouth can still be affected by gum disease, so you do need to keep up the brushing, flossing, and regular preventive dental appointments.

8. They prevent bone loss.

Your teeth perform a very important role in stimulating your jaw bone’s growth. When you lose a tooth, your jaw no longer receives this stimulation and this causes bone loss over time as your body starts to reabsorb the bone. Bone loss can cause your bite to become misaligned, headaches and jaw pain, difficulty speaking, as well as a sagging appearance where the bone has reabsorbed. Dental implants prevent this by acting in the same way a natural tooth would and stimulating healthy growth of new bone tissue, enabling you to retain the look and function of your teeth.

Talk to your dentist about dental implants.

The best way to decide if a dental implant is right for you is to talk to your dentist. Your dentist can answer all your questions as well as examine the health of your mouth and it’s ability to support an implant. They will also create a customized treatment plan to suit your unique situation. So what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with Bentz Dental Implant and Prosthodontic Center today to discuss a teeth replacement option that will give you back a healthy smile.