Non-Cosmetic Reasons for Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great way to enhance your smile and improve the way your teeth look. But they offer lots of other benefits, too, such as benefits that can actually improve your oral health.

Every year, roughly a half million people in the United States get dental implants for better aesthetics, better function, and better health. At A to Z Dental Studio in Fairfax, Virginia, Hiba Zakhour, DDS, and her team use the most advanced dental implant techniques and technology for optimal results in every patient. Here are five non-cosmetic reasons why you should consider dental implants.

#1. They’re more comfortable

Dentures and bridges are other options for replacing missing or damaged teeth. But the fact is, while they’re certainly functional alternatives to dental implants, they’re not always as comfortable. 

A dental implant is designed to feel and work like a natural tooth. The implant post is attached to the jaw bone, where it acts like a tooth root to hold the crown in place. This design is based on the structure of your natural teeth, which means once it’s in place, it feels just like your other teeth.

#2. They’re more stable

Dentures rest on top of your gums, and they can wind up slipping and causing sore spots. Bridges tend to be more secure than dentures, but they put excess strain on neighboring teeth, increasing the risks of damage and eventual tooth loss.

Because an implant secures your crown (or artificial tooth) directly to the jaw bone, it’s very stable. That means you can eat the foods you want without worrying about embarrassing slippage and without worrying about foods getting stuck under or around your bridge.

#3. They work to prevent future tooth loss

This is one of the most important reasons to consider dental implants instead of a denture or bridge. Like the other bones in your body, your jaw bone is continually replenishing itself, replacing old bone tissue with new, strong bone tissue. 

But that bone replacement cycle requires stimulation from the tooth root. Without that stimulation, the bone won’t replenish itself, and over time, the bone will become very thin and weak. When a tooth is missing, the root is gone, too, so the replenishment cycle slows down.

Dentures and bridges can replace the part of the tooth that’s above the gum, but they don’t replace the root. An implant is embedded in the jaw bone, where it can continue to stimulate that important bone replenishment cycle. That means your jaw bone stays healthy, so you can help prevent additional tooth loss in the future.

#4. They don’t change your bite mechanics

When you bite and chew, your teeth meet in a specific way. When a tooth is missing, those bite mechanics change, and you can wind up with problems like excessive tooth wear, tooth pain, and chronic headaches, all symptoms of a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Because implants are designed like your natural tooth, they can be used more effectively to maintain your bite mechanics. That means you can avoid TMJ and the painful symptoms it can cause. 

#5. They’re easy to care for

Finally, since implants are designed like natural teeth, they can be cared for just like your natural teeth. Yes, you still need to brush and floss to keep the gums healthy — but you don’t have to learn any new routines to keep your implants and your gums healthy and sound. With implants, you just brush and floss like usual, and visit us for regular checkups and cleanings. 

Learn how implants can benefit you

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, or they can be used as an attachment for a full denture, keeping it securely in place. At A to Z Dental Studio, we use state-of-the-art dental implants to create custom treatment solutions that help our patients feel comfortable and confident at every age. Call our office or schedule an appointment online to learn more about how dental implants can benefit you.