Dental implants replace missing teeth – this much we all know. They’re strong, they’re sturdy, and they blend into your smile effortlessly. They can seem like a big investment to some people both financially and in treatment time, so what other benefits do they have outside of simply looking good? While this is enough for some, there are also plenty of health benefits to having dental implants placed.

Dental implants stop your teeth from moving

When you lose a tooth, through whatever reason or means, the gap left in its place can be troubling to the rest of your teeth. Your teeth directly neighbouring the gap, for example, can drift and shift into the empty space. The new irregularity in your teeth has the potential to cause bite issues, difficulty eating, and even jaw pain should it really sway your jaw’s alignment. It could also weaken your jaw bone since teeth that are rooted elsewhere are beginning to journey further afield. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant stops this kind of wayward movement, maintaining comfortable mouth functions and keeping your teeth exactly where they should be.

Dental implants help prevent gum disease

Losing a tooth means sudden gum exposure, a whole lot more than was previously there before. This soft tissue is now vulnerable to food debris and the build-up of bacteria that loves to feast on it. The bacteria produce a toxin that eats away at different parts of your mouth, including your gums. This newly exposed gum may swell, become red and irritable, and even bleed due to the onset of gum disease. When left untreated, this comes full circle and threatens the loss of more teeth. By replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, you’re covering this newly exposed area of gum and stopping the onset of bacteria gaining access to a larger surface area of soft tissue. Your neighbouring and natural teeth will thank you later!

Dental implants help protect your jaw bone

The roots of your teeth share a co-dependent relationship with your jaw bone. The roots fuse with the jaw bone to keep both symbiotically healthy, so when you lose a tooth that designated section of jawbone loses its support system. Because the bone derives as much strength from the tooth as vice versa, it becomes weak in this area and beings to deteriorate and soften. When multiple teeth are lost this results in a sort of ‘caved in’ appearance because the jaw begins to lose its structure. A dental implant uses a titanium root that fuses to the jawbone, which the bone then accepts as a willing partner. Implant root and bone fuse together to keep both sturdy, strong, and in place so you needn’t worry about the health of your jaw bone.

Dental implants help protect against cavities

A missing tooth obviously exposes the surfaces of your neighbouring teeth that otherwise would be shoulder-to-shoulder with each other. This means that previously unseen surfaces, such as the sides of your teeth, are open to all kinds of bacteria and food build-up. These areas are difficult to clean with a toothbrush, too, because there are more hard-to-reach places and little curves to reach around. As food and bacteria combine to eat away at your teeth’s protective enamel, cavities can form and cause decay. The placement of a dental implant ensures that your teeth once again stand dutifully shoulder-to-shoulder to mask the surfaces that would’ve otherwise been in danger. Dental implants don’t just protect your gums, jawbone, and improve your smile (as if that wasn’t enough), but they also protect the rest of your teeth.

Book your dental implant consultation today

Dental implants restore form, function, and a beautiful smile to your teeth in the most natural way possible. Colour-matched to your teeth, our dental implants dentists at Viva Dental in Lancashire provide the highest quality implant placement for all suitable patients. Enquire online or speak to a friendly member of the team on 01524 735 431 today.