If you have one or several missing teeth, dental implants offer quite a few benefits — starting with improving your oral health.
If you have questions about whether or not you need dental implants, you can rely on Colin Young, DMD, and our team at Crystal Smiles Dental for answers and guidance. We’re dedicated to helping you maintain the best oral health possible with our recommendations and treatments.
Before we talk with you about why a dental implant might be your best option, we first evaluate your oral health and address your concerns. We also keep you educated about the different treatment options available to you. Here’s why you may want to consider a dental implant and how it can help.
Reasons to consider a dental implant
The loss of teeth doesn’t just affect the appearance of your smile — it also affects your oral health in ways you should be aware of.
Tooth loss can cause:
Bone loss
Your jawbone serves as an anchor for your natural teeth, holding them in place. When you have a missing tooth, the gap can trigger bone loss because when your teeth have contact, they stimulate your jawbone. So over time, the empty space from your missing tooth can cause your jawbone to slowly deteriorate.
Gum disease and other health issues
The open pocket where you once had a tooth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria where it can enter your gums. This puts you at risk for developing gum disease, which can lead to health issues like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.
Loss of more teeth
When one tooth goes missing, it can have a domino effect, causing your surrounding teeth to lose their sustainability.
Crooked teeth
The neighboring teeth around your missing one can start to slowly shift toward the empty space. Your teeth that were once straight can begin to turn and crowd each other. This issue also makes it difficult to floss between your teeth well, causing bacteria buildup that can lead to gum disease.
Bite problems
As your teeth begin to shift toward the empty space, your bite can begin to change. When you have an improper bite, you’re at risk for teeth grinding and issues like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. These problems can also cause damage to your enamel, cause tension headaches, and create tooth sensitivity.
In addition to the reasons above, you should consider dental implants if you don’t want to support your oral health with dentures, bridges, or crowns.
Benefits of a dental implant
Not only do dental implants provide an excellent substitute for missing teeth, but they look natural and fit comfortably, helping you smile confidently.
With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about them falling out, shifting, or sliding, which can happen when wearing dentures. They also have a high success rate and last a long time.
To learn more about dental implants and to find out if they’re right for you, call, text, or book your consultation online with us at our location in Livermore, California, today.