lccuk.org

Submitted by: Eli Thornock

Dental implants are permanent artificial teeth. An alternative to bridges and dentures, implants appear and function just like your natural teeth. You may be surprised to learn, however, that implants are not just cosmetic dentistry solutions they actually offer several important health benefits.

Dental implants were invented pretty much on accident back in 1952, when a surgeon placed a small titanium cylinder in a patients jawbone to test how well the jawbone would heal, and then that surgeon found that the titanium cylinder was unexpectedly difficult to remove.

It turns out that titanium has special properties that allow it to fuse with bone very effectively. In the decades since that titanium/bone relationship was first discovered, the dental implant has been refined to the point where it is far and away the most effective solution for replacing a missing tooth.

Read on to learn how dental implants can benefit your health.

1. More hygienic than dentures

Unlike dentures, implants are not removable. You can clean implants easily with only brushing and flossing, just like the rest of your teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, require a multi-step cleaning process, which many people dont always follow.

Because it is difficult to properly clean dentures, dentures can harbor disease-causing bacteria experts say even the deadly MRSA virus can lurk on dentures. Fortunately, implants do not have this problem.

2. Easier to eat healthy foods

People with missing teeth may sometimes develop nutritional deficiencies because of difficulties eating with one or more missing teeth. Even if you have dentures, you might not be eating well, since eating healthy foods like nuts and raw vegetables can be difficult to chew with dentures.

Instead, people with dentures or missing teeth often end up soft, processed foods like white bread, ice cream, and cookies. These foods contain few nutrients and can cause further tooth decay, as well as other health problems such as diabetes.

Because implants function like normal teeth, they will not affect what you can eat and will allow you to eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of plant-based foods.

3. Protect your oral health

If you already have one or more missing teeth, you probably dont want to lose any more! This means you have to keep the rest of your teeth in good shape.

Implants make it easier to keep your natural teeth and gums healthy, as gaps in your smile are difficult to clean properly.

Dental implants also keep other teeth in the mouth from shifting into the gap caused by your missing tooth or teeth, thus preventing bite and alignment problems.

4. Prevent bone loss

When you have teeth removed, the jaw bone will start to lose density in the areas where teeth are missing. As a result, your face may have a sunken look and your jaw may shorten.

Reduced jaw bone density from missing teeth will also leave you vulnerable to other health problems, such as infections and the loosening of other surrounding teeth.

Dental implants help protect healthy bone tissue in your jaw and preserve your facial structure. Implants will even cause new bone tissue to build around the implant, which helps keep the implant stable.

More about dental implants

Dental implants are a great permanent alternative to dentures and bridges. In addition to the health benefits listed, they also give the you confidence that comes with a beautiful, natural looking smile.

About the Author: Dr. Eli Thornock was born and raised in eastern Washington and he received my dental training at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Class of 2011. Since then, he has been practicing in a private practice setting and have also completed more than one hundred hours of continuing education. The first practice he joined as an associate was Highlands West Dental, located in Shoreline, WA. He now runs a dental practice, Sound Smiles Dental in Bainbridge Island, WA. (

soundsmilesdental.com/

)

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