Oral Health Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most advanced treatment for tooth loss. Dental implants are small titanium screws that are surgically placed in the jaw, where they act as artificial tooth roots. Dental implants can support a full range of dental restorations, including dental crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Dental implants offer several advantages over other dental restorations, making them one of the preferred tooth loss treatments at Dr. Louis J. Buono’s dental practice, serving Long Island, NY, and Garden City, NY. Here, Dr. Buono discusses the top oral health benefits of dental implants that help his Garden City Smiles patients preserve the strength and integrity of their smile.
Improved Oral Functions
Dental implants fuse with bone tissues to give patients superior stability and full chewing power. Dental implants function just like natural teeth. After a patient has healed from dental implant treatment, they will not notice any difference between the implant-supported restorations and their natural teeth. Dental implants fully restore all oral functions, including biting, chewing, and speaking.
Preservation of the Jawbone
Many people do not realize that the strength of the jawbone is reliant on the teeth. When a person bites or chews, the tooth’s roots stimulate jawbone tissues to encourage regeneration. Tooth loss takes away this stimulation. If a tooth socket sits empty, the bone beneath the space can lose up to 25 percent of its volume within a year.
Dental implants are the only tooth loss treatment that can address the loss of a tooth’s roots. Dental implants act like tooth roots; they provide stimulation that encourages natural bone growth. Dental implants prevent degeneration, allowing patients to maintain a strong jaw that supports teeth and preserves facial structure.
Support for Adjacent Teeth
Even when someone suffers widespread tooth loss, they often maintain some natural teeth. Unaddressed tooth loss leaves gaps between natural teeth. Over time, gaps cause teeth to shift out of their proper position. Shifting teeth weaken the bite and throw off the balance of the smile. Misalignment can lead to other complications, such as TMJ disorder. Dental implants prevent complications by filling spaces left by tooth loss, supporting adjacent teeth, and preserving tooth alignment.
Prevention of Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
It is not unusual for tooth loss to lead to oral health problems, including gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth loss creates pockets that can trap food particles and bacteria. Dental restorations fill spaces left by tooth loss but are not always easy to clean. Dentures, for instance, require removal and soaking. Dental implants make oral practices easy because they can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth. The ease of dental implant care helps patients prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Contact Us
Many restorative dentistry treatments address tooth loss, but none match the benefits of dental implants. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants or find out if you are an ideal candidate for dental implant treatment, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Louis J. Buono at Garden City Smiles. To get started, contact our dental practice online or call (516) 294-0375 at your earliest convenience.
