There’s a lot that can be achieved by dental implants, and many reasons why someone would choose to get them. Some of the reasons why someone would choose to get dental implants, including their advantages, include:
They can improve your appearance
Since dental implants have been designed to capture both the look and feel of your own teeth, a dental implant can greatly improve the appearance of your smile. Furthermore, a dental implant fuses with your bone, making them permanent.
Dental implants can improve your oral health
Unlike with a tooth-supported bridge, a dental implant won’t require the reduction of your other teeth. As a result of having more of your own teeth left intact, your oral health will be much better in the long term. Individual dental implants can further improve oral hygiene too by allowing for easier access between teeth.
They’re robust
Dental implants are incredibly robust and durable, and as long as you’re taking care of them properly, they should last you a lifetime.
They improve any difficulties with eating
Dentures can slip around and make eating a struggle at times. A dental implant on the other hand works no differently than if it were one of your own teeth, meaning you’ll never have to worry about any more difficulties while eating.
Dental implants offer improved comfort over removable dentures
As previously mentioned, your dental implants are a part of you, just like any other one of your natural teeth. Therefore, with dental implants, you’ll no longer have to worry about any of the discomfort or pain that removable dentures can cause.
Dental implants are more convenient than removable dentures
Removable dentures, like the name would suggest, are removable, and fairly inconvenient (especially when you have to remove them around company). With permanent dental implants on the other hand, once they’re in they’re in. This eliminates any unnecessary difficulties or messy adhesives that are required to keep them in place.
Dental implants can improve your speech
Any poor fitting dentures are going to slip around within your mouth, leading to slurred or difficult to understand speech. Dental implants eliminate this, allowing you to speak freely without the worry of any difficulties.
Having dental implants fitted can greatly boost your confidence and self-esteem
Perhaps the best reason of all why someone would choose to get dental implants is how they can restore your smile and give you back your confidence and self-esteem. No one wants to have missing teeth, or to worry about uncomfortable dentures. Dental implants can get you feeling back to normal again, and give you back your smile.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for dental implants?
Most people will make for a good candidate for dental implants, as long as a tooth is missing. In general though, your dentist will want you to meet the following requirements before being considered an ideal candidate for dental implants:
You have healthy gums
The dental implants will need to sit nicely and well supported within the gums, so anyone with gum disease likely won’t be well suited to dental implants.
You have a good quality of oral health
A good quality of oral health is important, and this isn’t necessarily related to having a missing tooth. Brushing at least twice a day is important, and those who smoke, drink frequently, or have uncontrolled diabetes that cause a low quality of oral health will have a much lower rate of success from dental implants.
You’re able to maintain a good quality of oral health
Having a good quality of oral health is one thing, but you’ll need to be sure you can continue to maintain it once your implants have been fitted. A commitment to oral health will ensure that further tooth issues or conditions will be avoided, so be sure to brush regularly, floss, use mouthwash, and treat your implant just like any other tooth.
Good bone density
A good bone density is vital if your implant is going to be successful. In order for the implant to be adequately supported within the jawbone, a sufficient amount of bone is required. For this reason, children typically won’t be considered for dental implants until they’re older.
What might make me unsuitable for a dental implant?
There are a few things that might make you unsuitable for dental implant surgery, including situations that will increase the risk of dental implant failure. Some of these include:
Smoking and excessive drinking
Those who smoke will have a reduced amount of blood flow to the gums and the tissues in the surrounding areas, and it could even prevent the implant from integrating with the jawbone, resulting in an unstable root. Furthermore, excessive drinking will slow down and disrupt the gums’ ability to heal.
Gum disease
Any patients with gum disease will need to have it treated first, as severe gum disease will eventually lead to jawbone loss and an unstable implant.
Teeth grinding
For those that grind their teeth, a mouth guard will be required to prevent the porcelain or ceramic crowns from chipping.