Did you know that more than 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? Tooth loss due to injury, decay, and periodontal disease is a problem that affects adults of all ages. And if you’re missing a tooth, you’re not alone.
Although it’s common, having a missing tooth isn’t something to take lightly. Missing teeth can have a serious impact on your remaining teeth, your jaw, and your overall oral health.
The good news is that dental implants are a safe and effective way to prevent these complications. J. Paul Fuentes, DDS, DABP, Andrew Peterson, DMD, MS, and our team at Arcadia Perio specialize in dental implants.
We believe you deserve a beautiful smile, no matter your age, and a dental implant could be the way you achieve it. Here are our top five reasons to consider getting a dental implant for your missing tooth.
It’s a permanent replacement tooth
Dental restorations of the past included dental bridges and partial or full dentures. While these treatments replaced missing teeth, they were removable and often uncomfortable.
A dental implant is a permanent artificial tooth that doesn’t move. It’s made of three main parts: the rod, the abutment, and the crown. We surgically insert the rod into your jawbone, then the bone heals around it to create a sturdy base and make the implant just as strong as a natural tooth.
It looks just like your natural teeth
The top part of a dental implant is called the crown, and it’s customized to fit your mouth. When you get an implant, we select the perfect size, shape, and color for your crown so it matches the rest of your teeth.
The dental implant sits in line with your natural teeth, and it looks indistinguishable from them.
It protects your other teeth
All of your teeth work together when you use your mouth to chew, talk, and even smile. When one or more teeth are missing, the gaps change the way your mouth works. Your remaining teeth may suffer from increased pressure and wear, causing them to break down.
A dental implant rebalances pressure on your teeth and improves the function of your mouth. It reduces the risk of damage to your other teeth and prevents them from shifting out of place.
It makes eating easier
Missing teeth can make it hard to effectively chew your food. And if you wear a bridge or dentures, you know that those dental appliances can shift and slip as you bite.
Dental implants are fixed in your mouth, so they don’t move around when you chew, talk, or use your mouth. They function just like natural teeth, so you can eat all of your favorite foods (no matter how crunchy) and speak clearly.
It stimulates healthy bone growth
One of the biggest reasons to consider getting a dental implant is that it stimulates healthy jawbone growth. Your jaw holds your natural teeth in place, and your teeth keep your jaw strong.
When you have a missing tooth, you begin to suffer bone loss in the space where the tooth was. Bone loss progresses over time and may lead to loosening teeth and could change the shape of your face.
An implant acts like a natural tooth. It fills the gap in your smile, and it gives your jawbone something to grow around. It encourages new bone growth, which strengthens your smile as a whole.
If you have a missing tooth, it’s time to find out if a dental implant is right for you. Book an appointment at Arcadia Perio in Arcadia, California, by calling our office at 626-662-1084 or book online now.