Five Facts You Should Know About Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement

When you lose a tooth, it could cause your smile to appear less attractive. Tooth loss can also lead to functional problems such as trouble chewing or an issue with your bite. Because tooth loss can occur for several reasons, when others notice that you are missing a tooth, they could make incorrect assumptions about your oral health. A few tooth replacement options are available for patients, including dentures and dental bridges. No other tooth-replacement option provides the benefits that a dental implant does. If you are looking for dental implant services in Lake Oswego, Oregon, consider visiting Dr. Brad Sievert and the team at Westlake Family Dentistry.

When deciding whether to consider dental implants for your tooth replacement need, here are some helpful facts that could help you decide!

Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime

When looking at the life span of available tooth replacement options, dentures and dental bridges cannot compare to implants. While a denture or bridge may last ten years when properly cared for, a dental implant can last a lifetime. While small adjustments to the implant may be required as time passes, you should not have to replace it. When an implant has fully fused to your jawbone (via a process called osseointegration), it truly is the next best thing to having a real, natural tooth in place.

They Look and Feel Completely Natural

If you asked a host of people who wear a denture (full or partial) how they feel in the mouth, you would have more than a few mentions that they are not the most comfortable fit. This is especially true of dentures that are not implant-supported. Dental bridges are a bit better as they are anchored in by abutment teeth, but they still can feel different than the teeth they are replacing. Comparatively, dental implants are designed to look and feel the same as a natural tooth would. Patients are consistently amazed at how realistic a dental implant looks while providing the same functionality as a natural tooth.

The stability of a dental implant means you will not have any issues with speech. Dentures can often present problems when it comes to speech. This is especially true when the fit is not great, and the denture slides around in the mouth.

Eat What You Want

Chewing foods with a dental implant will feel completely natural and provide the strength and durability necessary that some foods require. A dental implant can offer this chewing strength thanks to the fact that it is implanted and fused to the jawbone, precisely like the tooth it is replacing. In contrast, dentures can be frustrating at times when you are eating as they can slide around, or the adhesive holding them in place can come loose.

An Implant Can Literally Save Your Jawbone

The roots of your teeth play a vital role in the health of your jawbone. They provide blood flow and the stimulation required for your jawbone to remain intact. Without this stimulation, your body will reabsorb the bone matter, and your face will begin to take on a sunken, aging appearance. The great thing about a dental implant is it effectively replaces this function. It is the same thing as having a root in place because it is surgically implanted into the jawbone, where it fuses to the bone. Your jaw tissue will grow and thrive around the implant, preventing loss of bone.

Implants are Not for Everyone

While dental implants offer unmatched benefits for tooth replacement, unfortunately, not everybody will be a good candidate for the procedure. Prime candidates are those who already have a healthy jaw with adequate bone density. Once you receive your dental implant, they will require good upkeep via regular oral hygiene practices at home. If you are not good at keeping up with good oral hygiene practices at home, including regular brushing and flossing, a dental implant may not be best for you.

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and are ready to pursue tooth replacement options such as a dental implant, please contact Dr. Brad Sievert at Westlake Family Dentistry by calling (503) 386-4164.