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There are a lot of positive things to say about dental implants. They look beautiful, work just like real teeth, boast a success rate of over 95%, and can last for a lifetime with proper care. While this is probably enough to sell most people on them, many don’t realize that dental implants may be able to increase life expectancy. Here’s a brief overview of the significant long-term health benefits dental implants can bring.
Dental Implants Prevent Tooth Loss
It’s a lot harder to eat a varied and nutritious diet that includes fibrous raw veggies and tasty cuts of meat if you’re missing any number of teeth, and missing out on such healthy fare can have negative consequences in the long run. To make matters worse, losing one tooth can make the loss of other teeth more likely as it unevenly redistributes the pressure of chewing and deprives the jawbone of the exercise it needs to stay healthy and strong. This makes the remaining teeth more likely to be injured and infected, which can lead to their loss.
Since dental implants are surgically placed directly in the jawbone, they can handle the same chewing force as real teeth while restoring the stimulation the bone structure needs. Having dental implants can prevent or even reverse bone loss in the jaw, which will help keep the neighboring teeth in a proper alignment that distributes chewing force evenly. This can keep them safe from injury and infection for life.
Dental Implants Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
While traditional restorations such as dentures and dental bridges are excellent solutions for many people, plaque and food debris can get trapped between them and the gums, which makes gum disease far more likely. Gum disease is an insidious menace that can be almost undetectable at first, but it will eventually cause permanent damage if left untreated. In addition to tooth loss and jawbone erosion, untreated gum disease may make a person more vulnerable to diabetes, heart disease, and dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.
Luckily, there’s no chance of food getting trapped beneath dental implants since they are placed directly into the jawbone. This protects your gums from infection while preserving the health of your jaw. They also only require the same oral hygiene routine as real teeth, which includes brushing, flossing, antibacterial mouthwash, seeing your dentist regularly, and limiting your sugar intake.
For these reasons and more, dental implants are considered the best form of tooth replacement currently available. Consulting with your dentist can determine if dental implants are the best way to beautifully restore your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Kolade Akinwande earned her dental degree at the Howard University College of Dentistry and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Coney Island Hospital in New York. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Maryland Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To schedule a dental implant consultation, contact her office online or dial (301) 843-0225.