What are the benefits of dental implants?

Have you ever lost a tooth? Tooth loss can have a huge impact on a person’s self-confidence, as it affects their appearance, often making them feel self-conscious and anxious. This is where dental implants can help. An implant consists of a small titanium screw, which is inserted into a tiny hole in your jawbone that naturally fuses with the bone to create a strong artificial root keeping the implant securely in place.

Dental implants have a higher success rate than any other dental procedure when it comes to tackling tooth loss. Dr Peter Sanders, owner of the award-winning Dental Confidence Implant Centre tells us why dental implants are the best solution to tooth loss and explains the benefits they have over dentures and bridges.

Implants look natural

Implants are the most natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. At Dr Sander’s clinic, implants are custom made to be identical to the rest of your teeth, so when your tooth is replaced with a dental implant, it is indistinguishable from your natural teeth. You’ll be able to talk, eat and laugh without any concern that your implant will look unnatural.

Implants also stimulate the jawbone, helping to stabilise facial muscles, creating a more youthful appearance. Dentures and bridges, on the other hand, often cause the bone that previously surrounded the old tooth to recede and shrink, enhancing the appearance of ageing.

Implants function like natural teeth

Unlike dentures implants work much the same as natural teeth, so you’re not restricted to only eating certain foods, for fear that the implant may fall out. This means foods like nuts, apples and steak don’t have to be avoided.

Implants also enable your jaws and healthy teeth to work as they naturally would, but with bridges or dentures, a lack of stimulation to the bone leads to bone deterioration and loss of gum support, causing dentures to slip. Implants, however, stay in place. They can also be cleaned and flossed like a normal tooth.

Implants are more comfortable

Dental implants look and feel like normal teeth. Their reliability makes patients feel more confident and secure that they can happily eat whatever they choose. Also, because they look identical to natural teeth, patients are less self-conscious and more comfortable with their smile.

Implants last longer

If a patient takes good care of their teeth and practices good dental hygiene, implants can last a lifetime. Unlike other dental procedures, implants can provide a long-term solution for tooth loss and are a one-time investment, unlike other procedures that need to be repeated in the future.

Implants are more cost-effective

The British Dental Health Foundation states that in the long run, implants are most cost-effective and satisfactory than bridges or dentures. They are a permanent solution, whereas a bridge is only expected to last for an average of 10 years.

As we’ve seen, implants are the perfect solution to missing teeth. They not only look and feel like normal teeth but they last longer, cost less long term and you can still have your apple a day!

If you’re interested in dental implants, please visit Dr Peter Sanders.