Top 8 Reasons Why People Get Dental Implants

Dental implants have emerged as a revolutionary solution in modern dentistry. They offer a blend of functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal that surpasses traditional artificial teeth treatments. With dental implant placement increasing in popularity, it’s worth investigating why so many people get dental implants.

Dental Implants are now the preferred choice for restoring missing teeth. They are the go-to option for individuals seeking to enhance their oral health, improve their appearance, and regain that confidence that comes with a full, vibrant smile.

Dental implants have changed how dentists approach a lost tooth or oral health by offering solutions for various dental and personal issues. From their ability to mimic natural teeth to their long-term benefits for oral health, dental implants offer a range of advantages that cater to diverse needs and lifestyles.

Why People Get Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth?

Here are the top 8 compelling reasons dental implants can be a game-changer for you.

#1. Restoration of Chewing Function

• Dental implants function just like natural teeth. This means you can eat your favourite foods with no discomfort or pain. They restore almost 100% of chewing ability, vital for proper nutrition and digestion.
• By replacing the missing tooth’s root structure and providing a stable foundation for the crown, dental implants restore the ability to chew foods comfortably and efficiently, just like your natural teeth. This improves your nutrition and overall health and enhances the quality of life.
• Proper food chewing is essential for several reasons, as it contributes to better overall health and well-being. Chewing is the first step in the digestive process. Chewing breaks food into smaller, more manageable pieces and mixes it with saliva. Saliva contains enzymes like amylase that start the breakdown of carbohydrates. Properly chewed food is easier for the stomach to process and reduces the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating, gas, and indigestion.
• Thorough chewing results in smaller food particles that are more easily digested and absorbed in the intestines. This means your body can better extract and use the nutrients from your food, which is crucial for overall health.
• Chewing correctly allows you to taste and enjoy your food more! The act of chewing engages your sense of taste, smell, and texture, enhancing the overall eating experience and leading to greater satisfaction with meals. The act of chewing can have a calming effect, especially if done mindfully. This can be a form of stress relief and can improve your overall dining experience.
• Regular and proper chewing helps to keep the jaw muscles strong and well-functioning. It also ensures that the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull, remains healthy and flexible.
• Chewing slowly and thoroughly can aid in weight management. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register fullness. By chewing more, you slow down your eating pace, which can lead to eating less and feeling fuller faster. This can be helpful in preventing overeating.

#2. Improving Speech Clarity

• Dental implants are anchored into the jaw bone, unlike traditional dentures, which slip or move around inside the mouth. This stability ensures that the implants and the attached crowns or bridges do not shift while speaking, allowing for clearer pronunciation and reduced slurring of words.
• Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can impair a patient’s speech. Many people with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures feel self-conscious about speaking. Implants, by providing a solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, can boost confidence. When individuals are less worried about how their teeth look or if their dentures will slip, they tend to speak more freely and clearly. Dental implants, which provide stability and function like normal teeth, improve articulation and confidence in conversation.
• The crown that is attached to your dental implant is tailored to match your teeth’ natural shape and size. This resemblance to normal teeth means they feel more comfortable in the mouth, enabling more natural tongue movement, which is crucial for articulate speech.
• Sometimes, gaps in the teeth can cause whistling sounds during speech. Dental implants can eliminate such unintended sounds by filling these gaps, enhancing speech clarity.

#3. Maintaining Facial Structure & Bone Loss

• When you lose teeth, you also lose bone mass in your jaw. The dental implant procedure is the only tooth replacement option that replaces jaw bone stimulation, helping prevent bone loss.
• Tooth loss can lead to a sunken facial appearance. Dental implants help maintain the natural shape of your face and lower the risk of facial structure changes. Beyond aesthetics, the improved oral function (like proper chewing) that comes with dental implants also contributes to overall muscle tone and facial structure.
• The loss of jaw bone density and structure can lead to changes in facial shape, often resulting in a sunken or sagging appearance, particularly around the mouth. By maintaining the jaw bone’s integrity, dental implants help preserve the face’s natural contours.
• One of the most significant impacts of tooth loss is the deterioration of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, the part of the jaw bone that supports those teeth no longer receives the necessary stimulation it needs to maintain its density. This process, known as bone resorption, can lead to a loss of bone mass. Dental implants, which are inserted into the jaw bone, act like tooth roots and provide the necessary stimulation to the bone, helping to prevent this resorption and maintain bone density.
• Dental implants help preserve the jaw bone and maintain the natural structure of the face and mouth. Loss of teeth can lead to bone resorption, which might alter the shape of the jaw bone and the oral cavity, subsequently affecting your facial features and facial structure. Implants stimulate the bone, similar to natural tooth roots, thus preventing bone loss and maintaining the shape of your face.
• The process of osseointegration, where the bone grows around and bonds with the implant, not only stabilises the implant but can also encourage new bone growth. This helps maintain or even improve the jaw bone’s strength and structure in the long term.
• Unlike dentures, which may not fully mimic the support that teeth offer to facial structures, dental implants provide a permanent and stable solution. They ensure that the face does not undergo the changes typically associated with long-term tooth loss.

 #4. To Boost Self-Esteem

• Dental implants can significantly improve your smile and help you feel better about your appearance, boosting your self-esteem and overall quality of life. They are designed to blend seamlessly with your teeth. They come in custom-made shapes and sizes and will be customised to match the colour of your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless, natural-looking smile.
• Many people with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures often feel self-conscious about speaking. Implants, by providing a solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, can boost confidence. When individuals are less worried about how their teeth look or if their dentures will slip, they tend to speak more freely and clearly.
• When someone is missing teeth or is self-conscious about their smile, they may often try to hide it. Smiling is a key component of social interactions. A full and confident smile can make a person seem more approachable, friendly, and confident. This can improve social interactions in personal and professional settings and lead to better relationships and opportunities.
• In many professional settings, a confident smile can be perceived as a sign of confidence, competence, and friendliness. People who are confident in their smiles might be more likely to engage in networking and professional opportunities.
• A full smile and well-aligned teeth supported by dental implants are often perceived as more attractive. This perception can significantly boost a person’s self-confidence in their appearance. It’s common for people to feel more positive about their image when they are happy with their smile, which can reflect in their overall demeanour and interactions.
• Having a full, functional smile affects not just appearance but also quality of life. It enables one to enjoy a variety of foods and engage in a wider range of social activities without discomfort or embarrassment, and feel more content and confident in daily life.

#5. Improving Oral Health and Overall Wellbeing

• Having a complete set of teeth plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall health. Teeth are essential for proper chewing and breaking down food. A full set of teeth allows for a varied and balanced diet, including harder foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which are vital for nutrition.
• Proper chewing also aids digestion. It breaks down food into more manageable pieces and mixes it with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin digestion. Not being able to eat a range of healthy foods leads to a lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
• The oral-systemic link refers to the connection between oral health and the health of the rest of your body. Your mouth is a window into your body’s health, and poor oral health can have far-reaching consequences, which will lead to a range of body-wide health issues.
• Having gaps between teeth can trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of periodontal gum disease and cavities in nearby teeth. By filling these gaps, implants reduce the risk of such dental issues.
• Implants are easier to maintain compared to bridges or dentures. They allow for better access between teeth, improving overall oral hygiene. Maintaining a complete set of teeth through regular dental care can be more economical in the long run, preventing the need for more costly dental procedures that can arise from tooth loss or poor health.

 #6. For Better Comfort and Convenience

• Replacing missing teeth with partial or full dentures is old technology for a reason. Denture designs can feel bulky in the mouth, affecting how a person speaks or eats. The thickness of the material, especially on the roof of the mouth, can be uncomfortable and affect taste and sensation. Dentures cover the palate of the mouth, which affects how you enjoy and taste foods.
• One of the primary reasons dentures can be uncomfortable is if they don’t fit properly. Over time, the jaw bone and gums can change shape, especially if teeth have been missing for a while. This can lead to dentures that, once fit you well, become loose and uncomfortable. Ill-fitting dentures can rub against the gum tissue, causing irritation, sores, and even infections. This discomfort can be particularly acute when eating or speaking.
• Unlike removable dentures, which can be uncomfortable and require adhesives, dental implants are a permanent solution that eliminates the inconvenience of daily removal and time-consuming cleaning. Dental implants still require daily brushing and cleaning, but is a much more normal routine where your teeth remain inside your mouth.
• Dental implants, particularly gum set ceramic bridges, are very small and take up little room in the mouth. The low porosity and higher surface tension of ceramic bridges make them less prone to plaque buildup than dentures or acrylic. Additionally, ceramic teeth are less susceptible to chipping than their acrylic counterparts.

 #7. To Protect their Adjacent Natural Teeth

• When you have a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth can shift into the space, leading to misalignment. Dental implants fill the gap, preventing the shifting of surrounding teeth and maintaining the integrity of your bite and jaw alignment.
• Tooth misalignment, often called malocclusion, can lead to various dental and general health issues. These issues can range from mild to severe, affecting not only your smile’s appearance but also your mouth’s overall function.
• Crooked or misaligned teeth often don’t fit together correctly when the mouth closes, which can lead to uneven wear and tear. This might result in chips, cracks, or excessive wear on certain teeth and cause pain. The pressure from misaligned teeth can extend beyond the jaw, potentially causing headaches, neck pain, or even shoulder discomfort due to imbalanced muscular tension.
• Since misaligned teeth can be harder to clean, they can contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar. Over time, this can lead to gum tissue disease (gingivitis), which, if left untreated, can progress to more serious periodontal disease.
• One of the benefits of dental implants is that they don’t harm neighbouring teeth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure. When a tooth is lost, the neighbouring teeth tend to shift towards the empty space. Dental implants will prevent your adjacent teeth from moving by filling in the gap left by that missing tooth.
• Dental implants help maintain the jaw bone’s integrity. When teeth are lost, the jaw bone in the empty space can begin to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation, potentially affecting the stability of adjacent teeth. Implants stimulate bone growth (through osseointegration), which helps to preserve the jaw bone and, in turn, the position.
• Dental implants help distribute biting forces evenly across the mouth by restoring full chewing functionality. This reduces the excessive load on the remaining teeth, which might otherwise be overburdened if missing ones are not replaced.

 #8. Looking for a Long-Lasting Solution

• Unlike traditional dentures or bridges that need replacing and realigning regularly, another of the benefits of dental implants is that they are designed to last. Their durability makes them a cost-effective long-term solution for tooth replacement.
• Dental implant fixtures are typically made from titanium, a biocompatible metal known for its strength and durability. Titanium resists corrosion and can withstand the rigorous forces of biting and chewing over many years, contributing to the longevity of the implant.
• Unlike natural teeth, the ceramic materials used in dental implant crowns and bridges do not get tooth decay. Therefore, implants are not susceptible to cavities, a common issue that can compromise the longevity of natural teeth. Ceramic is very strong and resistant to chipping and staining, unlike dentures and acrylic plastic teeth replacement options.
• Dental implants have a high success rate, typically above 95%. They are a reliable solution for tooth replacement, with predictable outcomes and success in most cases. Note: a surgical procedure does carry risks, and dental implant failure is limited. Luckily, it can be properly managed and replaced if required.
• Dental implants will last for years with proper dental care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. They require similar upkeep to natural teeth, making them a convenient long-term solution.

Benefits of Dental Implants?

The benefits of dental implants are popular and an effective choice for many individuals seeking to address tooth loss and damaged teeth and improve their oral health and quality of life:

• Natural Look and Feel: Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth, offering a more comfortable and seamless appearance.
• Improved Self-Esteem: They can significantly improve your smile and confidence, enhancing your overall quality of life.
• Facial Structure Preservation: By maintaining the natural structure of the jaw bone, implants help preserve the facial structure.
• Reagain Chewing Ability: Implants restore almost 100% of a natural tooth’s chewing ability, allowing for a normal diet without restrictions.
• Prevention of Bone Loss: a dental implant stimulates the jaw bone, preventing bone loss that occurs with tooth loss.
• Speech Improvement: Replacing teeth with implants can improve speech, eliminating slurring or whistling sounds associated with dentures.
• Comfort: Unlike removable dentures, implants are anchored in place, providing comfort without the need for adhesives.
• Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the inconvenience of removing dentures for cleaning and the need for messy adhesives.
• Improved Oral Health: Implants do not require altering adjacent teeth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure, and improving long-term oral health.
• High Success Rate: Dental implants have a proven track record of high success rates in suitable candidates.
• No Cavities: the dental implant crown is made from materials that do not decay, so you won’t have to worry about cavities in your dental implant.
• Stability for Adjacent Teeth: A dental implant prevents adjacent teeth from shifting, maintaining alignment and the integrity of the bite.
• Durability: With proper care, dental implants can last a long time, making them a highly durable solution for tooth replacement.

Considering a Dental Implant? Aria can help.

Dental implants are a versatile solution suitable for a wide range of patients. Dental implants will be tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you’re missing one tooth, several teeth, or even all your teeth. They are the best option for patients who cannot wear dentures, don’t like dentures or those looking for a more permanent, hassle-free solution.

Dental implants offer numerous benefits, from functional improvements to aesthetic enhancements. They are a reliable, long-term solution for those looking to restore their dental health and improve their quality of life. If you’re considering dental implants, as there are many options, consult your Aria Dental professional to determine the right treatment for you. Aria Dental are Perth’s Dental Implant Experts and have our own in-house Specialist Prosthodontist ready to help you.

Take your first step by booking your no-obligation, free dental implant consultation at your closest Aria Dental clinic to understand why dental implants are not just a dental solution but a gateway to renewed self-esteem and quality of life.

Aria Dental Maddington