Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because, unlike dentures and dental bridges, they involve placing a titanium rod into your jawbone for added strength and resilience.
That means your dental implants function like sturdy standalone structures in your mouth, which provides many unique advantages. For example, did you know that they can help you look younger? Continue reading to learn 3 ways that your new teeth can preserve a more youthful visage!
Perk #1: They Prevent Sunken Cheeks
Did you know that the roots of your teeth contribute to a healthy jawbone? Every time you bite down, they stimulate new bone growth to keep it active and healthy. When one goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year.
Unfortunately, as your jawbone thins, the ligaments, muscles, and skin connected to it lose some of their elasticity. This can cause sunken cheeks and additional facial wrinkles that leave you feeling older than you look.
Of all the ways to rebuild your grin, only dental implants prevent this process of bone degeneration. Once your jaw fuses with the metal support rod, it becomes a permanent part of your mouth. Then, it functions like a root to stimulate your jawbone when you chew so it can continue to serve as a firm foundation for your smile.
Perk #2: They Resist Staining
Did you know that your grin naturally darkens with age? This might be partly due to natural color changes that happen with age. The outermost surface of your teeth, or enamel, is a bright whitish-blue hue, but the underlying layer of dentin is tinted more yellow. Daily wear and tear over time thins the protective outer layer over time, giving the appearance of a stained smile.
However, discoloration can also be caused by frequent and prolonged exposure to popular foods and drinks that stain them, like tea, coffee, wine, berries, or tomatoes. Thankfully, dental implants are capped with lifelike restorations made from color-matched ceramic. These durable prosthetics close the gap in your grin and are coated with a glaze durable enough to resist additional pigmentation.
Perk #3: They Preserve Your Natural Teeth
Getting older affects your body in many ways, and your smile is no exception. For example, an estimated 1 in 5 adults who are 75 years or older have lost all their teeth, while only 1 in 10 of those who are 65 to 74 have no natural teeth remaining. Not only that, but the number one leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease, which is often preventable.
Fortunately, dental implants are easier to clean than dentures and dental bridges; all you have to do is brush and floss twice daily to consistently remove plaque and bacteria that cause common issues like cavities or periodontal disease. That means you’re less likely to develop peri-implantitis, a dangerous form of gum disease that erodes the connective and bone tissue around your implant to prevent additional tooth loss.
About the Practice
Patients of Dale W. Greer, DDS, Inc. benefit from two experts with several decades of combined experience. Dr. Greer and Dr. Roberts work together to provide various treatments to help you build and maintain your happiest, healthiest smile. They have completed specialized training and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide each step of the implant procedure in the office, including your oral surgery and placing your restoration. If you want to replace missing teeth, you can request a consultation on the website or call (888) 286-0345.
