Dental implants are a functional and cosmetic solution used to replace teeth that may be missing for a wide variety of reasons. If you are interested in this procedure but unsure if it’s right for you, the dental care team at Lyle C. Yanagihara, DDS, MS in Honolulu, HI, are here to help. Below, they discuss the benefits of replacing your missing teeth with these devices.

Why You Should Schedule a Dental Implant Procedure

1. The Best Solution

Dental implants are the best solution to replace missing teeth, unlike treatments such as bridges or dentures. One of the main issues with bridges is recurrent decay and subsequent failure after 5 – 10 years, not to mention the damage to sometimes perfectly healthy adjacent teeth.  The adjacent teeth are ground down to fabricate a bridge.  Dentures move while in the mouth, making it uncomfortable to chew or talk.  Dentures also alter your taste sensation as they cover much of the oral soft tissues.  Implants function like your natural teeth, so you don’t have to worry about these situations. 

Implants can also be placed beneath a denture or partial denture to provide support.  This will decrease the mobility of the denture or partial denture adding to the comfort and function.

2. Enhanced Appearance

Missing teeth can cause jawbone deterioration, which is an issue that will affect your appearance. It can cause your face to sink in and make you look years older than you are. Dental implants are composed of titanium posts inserted into the jawbone to provide support while maintaining the bone.  The attached teeth can provide soft tissue support to your face.

3. Teeth Positioning

Without a replacement tooth to fill in the gap, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift to fill the space. This can lead to a variety of dental issues with your bite and alignment and make you more susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. Dental implants can preserve your smile and save you money on orthodontic treatments. 

Schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out if dental implants are the right choice for you. We have many treatment options to incorporate implants to improve your oral health.  If you’re located in Honolulu, HI, and searching for an implant dentistry practice, turn to the team at Lyle C. Yanagihara, DDS, MS. They provide a wide range of additional treatments, from wisdom teeth removal to bone grafting. Give them a call today at (808) 973-1433 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more information.