Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
Dental implants undoubtedly improve the appearance of your smile, but this isn't all they have to offer. Implants have a whole host of additional improvements that can positively influence your oral health and function.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots that are inserted into your jaw, somewhat like an anchor. The inserted root helps hold a bridge or replacement tooth in place, creating the look of natural and healthy teeth. This procedure is commonly recommended for people with significant tooth loss or those that have periodontal disease. However, those with significant bone loss may not be candidates.
Improved Chewing
Compared to dentures, dental implants offer marked improvements when it comes to chewing. Proper chewing requires complex movements that include side-to-side and up-and-down motions. Dentures allow you to easily perform the up-and-down movements, but trying to perform the side-to-side movements can cause the dentures to loosen or dislodge. This can significantly limit the types of foods you are able to eat and how well you can enjoy them if you wear dentures. Dental implants give you full range of motion to perform complex chewing movements with ease.
Avoid Facial Collapse
Facial collapse is a concern that typically affects people who have experienced significant tooth loss. When a tooth is gone, over time, the body naturally begins to reabsorb its bone to transfer the minerals to various other parts of the body. The deterioration of the bone causes the face to look sunken in or collapsed. To the body, the presence of a dental implant is very similar to that of a natural tooth, preventing the reabsorption process from occurring and helping you avoid this scenario.
Protect Adjacent Teeth
Some dental restoration options like crowns can actually cause damage to the surrounding teeth. In order to ensure proper fit, this procedure often requires that any adjacent teeth be trimmed down. Any time you penetrate a tooth's enamel, you put its health at risk. In terms of partials, repeatedly hooking the device onto your adjacent teeth can slowly loosen them over time and increase the risk of tooth loss. Dental implants don't require any manipulation to your teeth or the need to hook anything onto them.
If you are looking for a restorative dental procedure to improve not just your appearance, but also your oral health and function, don't overlook dental implants. Your dental provider will help you determine if this option is right for you.
Share16 December 2015
