Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique placement in your jaw. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, these become a permanent part of your smile and can function as sturdy standalone structures.
Although dental implants indeed function the most like natural teeth, many patients hesitate to schedule the procedure because they’re afraid their prosthetics will stick out like sore thumbs. If you’re worried about your appearance, continue reading to learn 3 reasons to set your concerns aside!
Reason #1: They Look Natural
Dental implants are a versatile solution that can be used to rebuild your smile regardless of how many teeth you lost. Your dentist can place a single titanium rod in your jaw to restore a single pearly white or insert two or more to anchor other solutions. For instance, a bridge or dentures can be designed to reconstruct several teeth or an entire arch.
Regardless of how many implants you need, your dentist will provide a lifelike prosthetic to fill in the gaps in your grin. They use lifelike materials, like composite resin or durable ceramic, that reflect light like enamel. Plus, they can be customized to be just the right shade, shape, and size to match your smile for seamless results.
Reason #2: They Maintain Your Facial Shape
Did you know that your jawbone thins after tooth loss? Your roots keep it active and healthy by stimulating new bone growth with every bite. Unfortunately, when one goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year.
As your jaw thins, it can alter the structure of your face. For instance, your chin might look more prominent and pointed, and your cheeks can develop a sunken or hollow appearance. Dental implants are the only prosthetics that preserve your facial structure because the titanium rods in your jaw function like roots to keep it strong.
Reason #3: They Prevent Wrinkles
Not only can tooth loss shift the angles of your face, but it can also increase the number and severity of fine lines, which can leave you looking older than you feel. As your jaw thins, the muscles and ligaments attached to it grow slack. As they relax, the skin resting on top of them becomes looser and develops additional wrinkles in key areas, like around the lips, cheeks, and jawline.
That means getting these restorations can help you maintain a younger visage so you can feel confident in your reflection.
Of all the available options for rebuilding your grin, dental implants look and function the most like your natural teeth!
Meet the Author
Dr. Harvey Mahler has 30+ years of experience helping families improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. He graduated from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry and is an active member of prestigious organizations, like the American Dental Association. He provides a wide array of services to meet your needs at one convenient location, and partners with the best local experts to ensure accurate implant placement. Then, he utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient comfort while creating a beautiful, long-lasting restoration to close the space in their smile. You can request an appointment on the website or call (312) 263-5262.