Two benefits of replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant

If you have lost a tooth, it might be worth asking your dentist to provide you with a dental implant. Read on to find out why.

It's permanent

When the artificial root of dental implant is inserted into the space where the real tooth root once was, it gradually fuses with the bone underneath. Once this fusion process is complete, the implant is permanently attached and will not move or fall out.

This permanency is one of the main reasons why so many people who have lost teeth choose to replace them with dental implants, instead of getting dentures. 

Whilst a denture needs to be removed and soaked in a glass of water every night and can be accidentally ejected from the mouth if a person moves their mouth muscles in the wrong way, a dental implant will stay in place forever.

As such, whilst the process of getting a dental implant fitted can be quite time-consuming (as it usually takes at least a few months for the artificial root to fuse with the bone), it may be worth undergoing this treatment if you want a long-term, low-maintenance replacement for your lost tooth.

It can prevent oral health problems in the future

There are two problems that people tend to experience when they lose a tooth and do not replace it with a dental fixture.

Firstly, the teeth surrounding the empty socket can begin to migrate towards this gap. This can affect the appearance of the person's teeth and reduce their ability to chew their food properly. In extreme cases, the changes that occur to their bite as a result of this tooth movement may even result in them developing a lisp. People with this issue may need to have braces fitted in order to move their teeth back into their correct positions.

Secondly, choosing not to replace a lost tooth can lead to the deterioration of the bone underneath its socket. This is because the root of a tooth is designed to stimulate this bone each time a person chews food or speaks. Without this stimulation, the bone will gradually dissolve. This can affect a person's bite and alter the shape of their lower face.

A dental implant can prevent both of these problems. The crown component can prevent nearby teeth from moving out of place, whilst the artificial root can provide the bone underneath it with the stimulation it requires.