Dental implants are a common recommendation for those who have experienced tooth loss. There are many causes for tooth loss, including a lack of or poor oral hygiene, gum disease, plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay, as well as many other reasons. Dental implants consist of an artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone, which creates a strong and permanent foundation for a replacement tooth. Looking for someone who offers dental implant services in Columbia, Maryland? Contact Dr. Michael Hsu of Columbia Smiles today by calling 410.690.4855 or reaching out to our team online.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
1. Improve Nutrition
Apart from improving the aesthetics of a smile, a dental implant benefit includes the ability to eat a wider variety of foods. Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat properly, making it harder to maintain a balanced diet.
If you only consume soft foods to avoid gum pain, you may want to consider dental implants. By avoiding certain foods, you may also deprive your body of the nutrients needed to maintain your overall health.
2. Improve Speech
Missing teeth and even dentures, may change the way you speak. Tooth gaps could cause you to speak with a lisp. Dentures may create similar problems, as there is a potential that they could shift in your mouth as you speak.
Dental implants, whether topped with a crown or used for implant-supported dentures, will keep dental restorations in place and allow you to speak as you would with natural teeth.
3. Prevent Cavities
Another benefit of dental implants is that they assist in cavity prevention. When you lose a tooth, surrounding teeth may shift from their position. As a result, teeth may start to tilt or even become loose over time as there isn’t anything to prevent the movement.
When teeth shift, the risk of developing tooth decay increases. Crooked teeth provide hiding places for plaque and cavity-causing bacteria.
4. Prevent Further Tooth Loss
As mentioned earlier, a tooth is held in place by surrounding teeth as well as its roots. When you lose a tooth, nearby teeth may loosen. The best way to prevent more teeth from falling out is to get a tooth replacement right away for the one you initially lost.
5. Prevent Jaw Deterioration
Another important benefit of dental implants is that it helps to prevent jaw deterioration. Your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to maintain its health. However, when you lose a tooth, the pressure that it exerted on your jawbone also goes away. Left unattended, your body could reabsorb parts of your jawbone.
To prevent jawbone deterioration, many dentists recommend dental implants. This procedure fills the space left in your smile while stimulating your jawbone the way a natural tooth’s root would. Not only does this keep the jawbone intact but it also protects the shape of your face over time.
When Should You Consider Dental Implants?
Getting dental implants could be considered a necessity when you have missing teeth. However, you must talk to your dentist about other options that could also be ideal for your case, such as bridges, crowns, or dentures.
Schedule an Appointment with Columbia Smiles Today
If you’re searching for dental implant services in Columbia, Maryland, contact Dr. Michael Hsu of Columbia Smiles today. Call 410.690.4855 or reach out to our team online.
