Dental implants are widely known as the standard to restore missing teeth and help the smile look more uniform and balanced.
Beyond cosmetics, dental implants are incredibly important to maintain the mechanical functionality of the teeth. They help protect your oral health and your bone structure over time to keep your smile looking and moving as it should.
Here we’re going to talk about some of these ‘hidden’ benefits that not everyone knows about dental implants:
What Are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?
Dental implants are teeth replacements that contain a titanium or zirconia post to replace the tooth’s root, a crown for the tooth itself, and an abutment piece that connects the two. The implant’s post eventually fuses with the bone during osseointegration.
Dental implants are highly durable and restore the natural functionality of the tooth, helping patients chew and talk normally. Compared to bridges or dentures, dental implants have a longer shelf life and are more complete in their restorative capabilities, making them a more attractive investment.
The process of getting dental implants begins with a professional consultation where your dentist will check the condition of your gums and jawline to determine whether or not you’re a suitable candidate.
The surgery requires local anesthesia or complete sedation and is performed by a dentist who will place the implant into the jawbone.
It takes several months for the dental implant to fully heal and fuse with the jawbone. Once this happens, your dentist will attach the abutment to the implant, and a crown that mimics the natural color and shape of the surrounding teeth is placed on top to complete the process.
8 Hidden Benefits of Dental Implants for Whole-Body Wellness
Preserving Jawbone Health
Over time, missing teeth can cause bone loss due to a lack of stimulation. Dental implants prevent bone loss by mimicking the tooth’s natural roots, helping to maintain healthy bone density and the current facial structure where they lie.
Unlike dentures, which can actually accelerate bone resorption, dental implants are good for your bone health, and they can help your jawbone structure stay supported over the long term.
Supporting Facial Structure and Preventing Premature Aging
Missing teeth can make you look haggard and aged beyond your years. As more time passes, bone loss can cause the facial features to literally collapse into the tell-tale signs of an aged countenance: sunken cheeks, wrinkles, and a shortened jawline.
Dental implants can prevent these unsightly changes from happening by helping maintain the current bone volume of the face.
In short, in addition to their mechanical, utilitarian benefits, dental implants can help support confidence in your appearance with these cosmetically pleasing results.
Improving Oral Function and Nutrition
Because dental implants restore the natural chewing strength of original teeth, patients can enjoy more foods and improve their nutrition. Hard vegetables like carrots are no longer an issue, nor are the other cruciferous vegetables and chewy proteins.
A better diet with a wider variety of nutritious foods supports overall health, digestion, and energy, not to mention a more balanced mental state. That’s why many nutritionists will advise you to “eat the rainbow” or see how many colors you can get on one plate.
This is a sharp departure from removable dentures that are stressful to maintain, limit your food choices, and don’t improve your bite force.
Protecting Healthy Teeth and Bite Alignment
Dental implants offer several advantages over other popular dental treatments. Bridges, for example, require your dentist to grind down the surrounding teeth, whereas implants do not.
They don’t affect the surrounding teeth because they’re placed directly in the spot of the missing tooth with a secure root structure.
Implants also help maintain a good bite alignment by filling in gaps that could otherwise cause neighboring teeth to shift around or crowd each other.
This way, even bite distribution has been restored, which is why many patients with jaw strain and TMJ issues can be particularly good candidates for dental implants.
Better Speech and Confidence
Speaking is the primary way most of us connect with other humans around us. So when you have to make concessions in the way you speak because of a missing tooth, it can affect your personal exchanges and even cause some anxiety.
Dental implants help patients feel more comfortable in conversations with others by removing obstacles to pronunciation and proper breathing. The result is often more confidence in both social and professional interactions.
Unlike dentures that can slip or click, implants are permanently rooted in place and won’t hinder your ability to communicate in any way.
Promoting Long-Term Oral Health
Dental implants are much easier to clean than bridges or partials. To take good care of them, you simply have to brush and floss them every day as you would with your natural teeth.
Compared to removable prosthetics, dental implants don’t have near the risk of irritation, bone loss, or infection. They can last for decades on end with good oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings.
Systemic Health Connection
Did you know? Poor oral health is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and inflammation, also known as the basis of all disease. In this aspect, dental implants are a huge boon to your overall systemic health.
When you replace missing teeth with dental implants, you’re helping to maintain your oral hygiene, which reduces the amount of harmful bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and cause an array of health problems. A healthy mouth ultimately equates with better health overall.
Quality of Life Benefits
There’s no question that a better-looking smile can improve your quality of life. But dental implants also help improve pain and discomfort from missing teeth and help make eating feel more stable and secure.
Compared to dentures, implants don’t require any adhesives, maintenance hassles, or dietary restrictions. Being able to enjoy a wider variety of foods is one of the most common benefits people who’ve had dental implant surgery attest to.
At the end of the day, patients can have peace of mind knowing that their implants are permanent. They feel natural and can do anything that healthy teeth can do, which is a great feeling if you’ve ever dealt with missing teeth before.
Also Read: Unraveling the Science: How Do Dental Implants Stay in Place?
Are Dental Implants Right for Your Smile?
Dental implants are now considered the gold standard to treat the mechanical, psychological, and health issues from missing teeth. They are considered a medical investment in health, functionality, and even personal confidence.
Want to learn more about how dental implants support long-term oral health and whole-body wellness? Schedule an appointment today at Woodland Hills Dental Care to discuss your options with a professional.
