Even if you’re diligent with your dental health, your mouth will change as you get older. Gums can recede, and osteoporosis can weaken bones. These conditions can sometimes result in the loosening or loss of teeth. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, approximately 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth.  

For those experiencing the loss of one or more teeth, dental implants can replace them. They’re customized to fit comfortably in your mouth and seamlessly mimic your real teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Restored Chewing Power

Dental implants are made to be perfect replacements. Once fitted, you’ll have the full chewing power you did when you had your natural teeth. You won’t have to worry about tough steaks, hard fruits, or taking smaller bites when eating.

Implants won’t change your dental hygiene routine. You can brush and floss between the implanted teeth as you would your natural ones. When looking at them in the mirror, you won’t be able to tell the difference since the crowns are developed to match your natural teeth.

Prevention of Bone Loss & Facial Sagging

Your natural teeth connect to your jawbone. Chewing stimulates the jawbone, keeping it healthy. When you have a missing tooth, the jawbone in the empty area begins to deteriorate—causing a decrease in bone density. Within a year of losing a tooth, patients experience a bone loss of 25%. That percentage increases with every year the tooth remains unreplaced.

Bone loss can also change the form of your face. Within weeks of losing a tooth, both the gums and the jaw begin to shrink. Over time, you’ll experience facial sagging, where the distance between your nose and chin closes. Your cheeks can sink inward toward the empty area. Sagging can cause wrinkles around your mouth, thin your lips, and emphasize the point of your chin. As a result, you’ll look prematurely older than your true age.   

Implants prevent facial sagging. The implants are rooted into the jawbone, essentially becoming a new tooth. Chewing with implants is the same as chewing with your natural teeth—it’s healthy for the jawbone and prevents bone loss.

Increased Oral Health

Gaps from missing teeth can affect your remaining ones. They can crookedly fall out of alignment and shift toward the gap. The misaligned teeth can make biting and chewing more difficult. It can also change the form of your face, similar to sagging. In some cases, the crooked teeth can affect your temporomandibular joint. You’ll experience an increase in headaches, along with pain in your jaw, neck, and shoulders.  

Implants will stabilize your teeth and prevent misalignment. Those with already crooked teeth caused by gaps are still candidates for implants. Your dentist will realign the remaining teeth before placing the implants. The realignment will stop the pain caused by the temporomandibular joint.  

When gum disease develops, it can cause your teeth to loosen and decay. Sometimes, they even need to be extracted. However, after you remove the affected teeth, the condition can still affect you.

Even if you’ve maintained proper oral hygiene and lost your tooth through other means, you are still at risk for gum disease. The gap between your teeth can become a food trap, which attracts bacteria.

Over time, the bacteria can form gum disease and cause further damage to your mouth. The implants close that gap, and help prevent the disease from forming.

Extended Lifespan

Best of all, your implants can last for a lifetime. Implants made from titanium don’t degrade or require replacement. Once your dentist installs the root, it’s there to stay for as long as you want it.

For your implants to go the distance, maintain them as you would your natural teeth. You should brush twice daily and floss to clear out stubborn food traps.

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash can also eliminate bacteria and prevent them from forming. Consult with your dentist how often you should schedule your routine check-ups.

What Are Bicon Dental Implants?

While some implants use screws, many dentists have come to rely on the Bicon Dental Implant System. Implants that use screws can sometimes create odors or leave a bad taste in the patient’s mouth.

Bicon implants don’t use screws. They’re made from surgical grade titanium, which doesn’t leave the patient with odd smells or tastes. Studies have shown Bicon implants to be highly biocompatible, making them both safe and unlikely to be rejected by the body.

Bicon implants are also highly durable—many patients choose them as a substitute for a root canal.

How Are Implants Different From Dentures & Bridges?

You have three options for tooth replacement: implants, dentures, and dental bridges. While they share some similarities, you should be aware of their distinguishing qualities to make the choice that’s right for you.

Dentures

For both partial and full dentures, dentists take molds of your gums and teeth to ensure a comfortable fit. They’re usually made of porcelain or acrylic resin to mimic the look of your natural teeth.

Following the extraction of decayed teeth, your dentist can provide you with immediate dentures. They’re beneficial for patients with a history of sensitive gums, providing them protection. Patients should see their dentist every six months to ensure the dentures still fit their gums.

Conventional dentures are placed in your mouth within 12 weeks, once your gums have recovered from the extraction. Your dentist will give you temporary dentures to use during the 12 weeks, so you aren’t seen in public without teeth.    

Depending on your needs, you’ll have the choice between full or partial dentures.

Full dentures can be used to replace your upper or lower teeth. They’re held in place by suction and saliva. Eating certain hard or tough foods can cause them to shift. Adhesives are available to form a tighter bond between the dentures and your gums.  

If you have only a few teeth missing, you can request partial dentures. They’re attached to your natural teeth with a metal or plastic base to hold them in place.

Both full and partial dentures are removable by patients. They should be removed every night to wash away food particles and rest your gums.

Maintain routine appointments with your dentist. As your gums shrink, they’ll need to reline your dentures periodically for a more comfortable fit.

Dental Bridges

Dentists use bridges when very few teeth are missing. Two procedures are available for bridges. For tooth-supported bridges, the natural teeth between the gap are filed down. Crowns are attached to support a new tooth made of ceramic or porcelain.

Your natural teeth aren’t usually filed down for resin-bonded bridges. Instead, the replacement tooth is held in place by plastic or metal wings bonded to the back of your natural teeth.

If you need multiple teeth replaced, you might not be a good candidate for bridges, as they lack the necessary support. Instead, you might benefit from implants, which are supported by a direct connection to your bones.   

Who’s Eligible for Dental Implants?

Patients with one or more missing teeth qualify for implants. However, having broken or decayed teeth that can't be repaired also makes you a viable candidate. Your dentist can extract your teeth and replace them with the implants.

Smokers and patients with diabetes, heart disease, or those who’ve had radiation therapy may still be eligible for implants. Every candidate is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Healthy gums help hold the implants. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene schedule will help keep your gums healthy. During regular cleanings, consult your dentist about implants and if your gums can sustain them.

Like the gums, healthy jawbones are needed to hold the implants in place. Since missing teeth can cause bone loss, implants should be considered a priority treatment method.

Candidates with health conditions or weak bone density have been denied eligibility in the past. However, advances in dental technology—including bone reconstruction—have made the majority of candidates eligible for implants.

 

If you’re experiencing tooth loss, having them replaced quickly will help maintain your oral health. Implants will restore your confidence in chewing and speaking, and even help you feel like yourself again. All Bright Dental NY in Mamaroneck is dedicated to restoring your smile. They offer comprehensive family dentistry ranging from cosmetic work to emergency services. To schedule an appointment, call (914) 594-9092. For more information on their Bicon Dental Implant System, visit their website.