There have been very few advances in Cosmetic Dentistry that have had as great an impact as Dental Implants. Restoring a person's ability to chew or desire to smile is a reward without any comparison. Surprisingly, the ability to eat and maintain proper nutrition finishes a distant second behind the overwhelming degree of confidence and self-esteem that comes from a healthy and beautiful smile. It reminds me of the early days of the comedy show Saturday Night Live, as one can easily see the truth behind Billy Crystal's skit when he said "it's better to look good than to feel good".
Whether for vanity, health or otherwise, there are many reasons why dental restoration is an important consideration for anyone with loose, missing, or decayed teeth, which have occurred either naturally or accidentally. But, in the case of missing teeth, dental implants in particular, have significant advantages:
First of all, if we look at what happens when teeth are missing we find that without the pressure exerted by a healthy tooth, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate. In fact, following the loss of a tooth, roughly 60 percent of the bone in that area disintegrates within a year, making the surrounding teeth less stable and more likely to move or lean toward the vacated area. The subsequent loss of bone density is simply a natural process of the body, occurring when there is no longer any stress on that area of the jaw.
Now, here is where we can see the unique advantage of inserting a dental implant rather than a typical denture or bridge. When implants are placed directly into the bone, the jaw is prevented from deteriorating. And, since the implants are constructed of titanium, there is no rejection by the body's immune system. In fact, the most exciting discovery in the early days of implantation was that the surrounding bone actually meshes with the implant. That, along with the localized pressure regained through the ability to eat normally, not only maintains and restores bone density, it actually helps to increase it.
Additionally, the structural or physiological benefits are not the only important aspect of consideration when it comes to dental implants. The following are just a few advantages with regard to convenience.
- They can eliminate the inconvenience of messy denture adhesives that must be re-applied throughout the day.
- They can eliminate gum irritation and the pain of exposed nerves associated with conventional full or partial dentures.
- They can allow you to speak with confidence in a relaxed and natural tone.
- They can eliminate the need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile, worried that your denture will pop out or fall down.
- And, they can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth, as well as, the natural ability to taste and enjoy your food. This factor alone helps promotes better nutrition.
But again, the most important consideration for dental restoration and implants has more to do with the way a person feels about oneself. Without question, dental implants will improve your appearance, since they look, feel and function exactly like natural teeth. And, as a result will undoubtedly improve self-esteem and confidence with a healthy and natural smile.
Needless to say, implants are certainly more expensive than most of the other alternatives, but the fact remains that they have rapidly become the first option for replacing missing teeth. It's a choice, the popularity of which has been due in large part to the predictability of the procedure and resulting convenience to the dental patient. So, if this procedure is within the range of affordability, the choice for dental implantation can be considered nothing less than a life enhancing decision.
For additional information and resources, please visit Understanding Dental Implants
Copyright 2009 Harry Monell. All rights reserved. Please feel free to share the entire contents of this article with your friends or post it on your site as long as it is left intact with all links unchanged, including this notice.
