If you’ve lost a tooth from trauma, injury, or dental disease, you’re probably interested in your replacement options. Dentures, while common, are far from your only option. Dental implants offer a sturdy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing replacement for missing teeth. Whether you have one missing tooth — or an entire missing arch — dental implants restore the form and function of your mouth.
Our expert team of experienced implant surgeons at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Impact Surgery created this guide to highlight the reasons we recommend dental implants as the best choice for your missing teeth.
The anatomy of a dental implant
Before we explore the benefits of a dental implant, it helps to know what exactly an implant is — and how it replaces teeth. Dental implants are made of three parts:
- A titanium post (which acts as a “tooth root”) implanted into your jawbone
- A metal abutment which connects the titanium post with the crown
- The crown
A dental implant looks like your natural tooth. It also feels and functions the same way, too. No need to fuss with dentures that slide around while you try to eat or speak.
Your best choice for replacing missing teeth
As mentioned above, dental implants are surgically implanted into your jaw bone. This means that, unlike dentures, implants never slip or slide. There is no need to hassle with messy denture adhesives. Saying goodbye to denture glue is just one of many perks of dental implants.
You might also consider implants because:
1. They preserve your jaw bone
Did you know that your tooth roots stimulate your jaw bone to grow? Without your tooth roots, you’re more likely to experience jaw bone loss. This can change your appearance, making your face look more sunken. Dental implants help you avoid jaw bone atrophy while maintaining the integrity of your jaw.
2. They look and feel like your natural teeth
In order for dentures to get good suction, the tops of the dentures have a hard palate. This can make it harder to judge the temperature of your food. It can also limit your ability to enjoy your food. Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth; they also allow you to enjoy your food the same as before.
3. Implants last a long time
With a solid at-home oral care routine in place, your implants can last up to 15 years.
4. They don’t compromise your other teeth
When you receive a dental implant, your remaining teeth aren’t involved. That’s not the case with dental bridges. When you receive a bridge, you’ll need two healthy teeth to serve as the anchors for your bridge. These teeth must be filed down and capped to support the pontic. Your dental implant doesn’t compromise the integrity of other teeth.
5. They can replace one tooth or a full mouth
Dental implants are flexible. If you are missing one tooth, an implant can restore your teeth. If you’re missing a full mouth of teeth, implants might still be a viable solution for you. In fact, dental implants called All-on-4s replace the need for dentures. All of your teeth are supported by just four implants per arch. All-on-4s merge the benefits of implants with the full coverage of dentures.
The process of getting an implant
Dental implants aren’t for everyone. You do need enough jaw bone to support your dental implant. When you come to Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Impact Surgery, our expert team evaluates your oral health, your jaw bone density, and your overall needs before creating your treatment plan. If you don’t have enough jaw bone, you might be a candidate for a bone graft. Rest assured, we’ll walk you through the entire process and help you find the right restoration treatment for your needs.
Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, our team wants to help restore your smile. Call the location of your choice to book an appointment. You may also request an appointment online.