Dental implants have revolutionized the oral healthcare industry and changed the lives of millions of people. Instead of dealing with removable dentures and bridges, patients can now restore their smile with devices that are safe, durable, and almost identical to their natural teeth.

The True Dangers of Untreated Tooth Loss

Losing a tooth or having one extracted is going to affect almost every aspect of your oral health. Our natural teeth support one another, stimulate our jaws, and allow us to eat comfortably. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, patients might be forced to deal with serious oral health issues ranging from gum disease to severe bone loss. Removable devices will help with some of these issues, but they also have quite a few disadvantages.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is the single best way to restore the form and function of a patient’s smile. With the proper aftercare, these amazing devices have a 98 percent success rate. Implants are made up of three components including the implanted rod, an abutment, and a crown. The rod will form a powerful bond with the patient’s jaw in a process known as osseointegration. After the patient’s mouth has healed, the abutment and crown will be attached to restore their smile.

Treating Multiple Missing Teeth

Another amazing benefit of dental implants is the fact they can be used to treat multiple missing teeth at once. Instead of a single crown being attached to a rod, multiple rods will be implanted at once to form a strong base for larger prosthetics such as bridges and dentures. Full mouth restorations can often be carried out in as little as three or four months, and most patients cannot tell the difference between their implants and their natural teeth after their mouth has healed.

How Long Do They Last?

Patients will be glad to hear that the titanium rods will last a lifetime as long as they fuse with the bone. Only unusual scenarios such as trauma to the face will knock the rods loose. The crowns, on the other hand, are designed to last for around 20 years. If the crown becomes worn, cracked, or discolored, patients can simply schedule another appointment to have it replaced.

A dental implant might be exactly what you need to restore your smile so that you can once again eat and speak with confidence.