The new year is coming which means it’s time to take down old calendars, draw up those vision boards, and start in on those resolutions. Perhaps you want to lose 5 pounds by next March or, if you’ve recently lost a tooth, maybe you’re hoping to fix that smile. Although losing one or multiple teeth can be embarrassing, you might be surprised to hear that there are several viable options for tooth replacement. Dental implants are one of the most successful tooth replacement methods out there. Carrying a 98 percent success rate, this procedure can be used to replace one or several teeth in a way that doesn’t require any extra work on your part. Though 2020 may have you cutting sugar and simple starch for health reasons, replacing your missing teeth with dental implants won’t require you to change your diet in the slightest.
What Are Dental Implants?
In the simplest terms, dental implants are a replacements for missing teeth. Modern dental implants consist of of a titanium implant which is inserted into the jaw bone, and a ceramic crown, which is attached to the insert. These require a surgical procedure in which the titanium implant is inserted into the jaw. Then, through a process known as osseointegration, bone fuses to the implant, creating a bond that is much like our natural tooth roots. This bond is one of the factors that make this procedure most successful.
Why Consider Dental Implants for 2020?
It’s not even the new year yet and already you have all these plans. If you’re hoping for a better smile, however, you should pencil in a consultation with your dentist. Dental implants can help with more than the appearance of your smile, they can help with your jaw, as well. Our jaw naturally regenerates itself to repair wear caused by chewing and talking. What triggers this process of regeneration is stimulation by specific teeth. Losing teeth can hinder this regeneration process to the point where you can begin to lose bone mass. Dental implants allow your jaw to receive the amount of stimulation it requires to continue this process of regeneration.
Our jaw supports our face, and a loss of bone mass is one of the key factors in aging. Replacing lost teeth with dental implants can help you maintain a youthful appearance.
Dental Implants Go Well Beyond 2020
There aren’t that many things you can buy these days that have a lifetime of use. Our phones last only 1-3 years at the most. Same with our computers, and even some of our vehicles. With dental implants, however, the benefits stretch on. When properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. Not only that, but proper care is simply maintaining a reasonable dental hygiene routine. The biggest enemy of dental implants is gum disease or periodontal disease. Much like natural teeth, the swelling of gums lets in bacteria and jeopardizes the stability of our teeth. Considering you don’t want gum disease in the first place, it’s been known to be linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, that’s a small price to pay for the luxury of getting that smile back.
If you’re considering dental implants, the first step is to schedule a consultation with your dentist to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. These determinations are best made on a case-by-case basis, but if complications like advanced gum disease exist, it could complicate the process.
If you are in Westchester County and would like to discuss dental implants, please call (914) 526-2144 or email the experienced implant dentists at Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake to schedule a consultation.