When you're considering tooth replacement, you are likely focused on the aesthetic benefits it will provide your smile. After all, it may feel embarrassing to talk, smile, or interact with other people when you have gaps in your smile.
However, did you know that missing teeth cause several health concerns? Today, we're shining a light on the hidden health benefits of dental implants. Let's get started!
The "Hidden" Danger: How Tooth Loss Changes Your Jawbone
Your jawbone houses your tooth roots. But did you know that those roots also play an integral role in keeping your jawbone healthy? It's true! A tooth root keeps the jawbone stimulated, and without that root, the bone will begin to deteriorate.
When you lose density in your jawbone, it becomes problematic for neighbouring teeth, as they also lose support and are put at risk. It also affects your facial structure, giving your face a "sunken" appearance that ages you.
A dental implant actually replaces your tooth root with a biocompatible titanium post that our dentists place in your jawbone. The implant acts just like a root and prevents the bone deterioration that happens with tooth loss.
The Domino Effect: Protecting Your Natural Teeth
When you're missing teeth, neighbouring teeth begin to drift without a replacement. As they move into the open space left by your missing tooth, they impact bite alignment. When your bite is misaligned, you are more susceptible to wear and tear, damage, and problems like gum disease.
Replacing a missing tooth helps maintain proper tooth alignment, ensuring optimal chewing function.
The Digestive Health Connection
Missing teeth make it difficult to chew and eat your food properly. When you can't chew with ease, it impacts your diet and nutrition. You may not be able to enjoy all the healthy foods you loved without tooth replacement.
You may also start to experience digestive issues if you're unable to chew your food properly. Food that's not properly broken down can make digestion difficult, leading to gastric issues.
The Mind-Body Link: Confidence and Cognitive Health
We can't ignore that missing teeth significantly affect how you feel about your smile, which can diminish your confidence. When you don't feel confident about your smile, it may affect your interactions with other people. You may find that you're not making the impressions on others that you would like. Maybe they perceive you as unapproachable.
When you don't feel confident, it may keep you from meeting your personal and professional goals. A healthy smile boosts your confidence and, through its radiance, the confidence of others.
Understanding Dental Implants in East Vancouver
Tooth implants are very versatile. Our dentists can replace a single tooth with an implant, while two to six implants can attach to a bridge or denture and provide stability and support. Here's what you should know about tooth replacement with dental implants.
Single Tooth Replacement
Our dentists use a custom porcelain crown to replace a single tooth with a dental implant. The crown attaches to the implant using a connector piece called an abutment. This keeps the crown securely in place so it can function just like a natural tooth.
Implants for Multiple Missing Teeth
If you've lost multiple teeth or even an entire arch, you can still enjoy the health benefits that dental implants provide. Our dentists can use two to six dental implants to support a bridge, allowing you to replace multiple adjacent teeth while preserving your healthy teeth.
They can also use four to six dental implants to secure a denture, which restores a full arch of missing teeth. The implants attach to the denture, holding it securely in place, while providing the added benefit of protecting the jawbone from the deterioration that occurs with denture wear.
Would You Like to Learn More about Dental Implants?
At Alta Dental Studio, we offer comprehensive implant dentistry, which means our dentists can place and restore your implant here at our East Vancouver dental clinic. That gives you the peace of mind of working with the team you already know and trust throughout the entire process.
If you'd like to start your dental implant journey, we encourage you to contact our team at (236) 304-4913 to book an evaluation with one of our dentists and determine if dental implants might be right for you.