How Dental Implants Work

It might surprise you to know just how prevalent tooth loss is in our society. Here are some astounding numbers:

  • More than 35 million people in America don’t have any teeth.
  • 175 million people in America are missing at least one tooth.
  • 69% of Americans, age 35-44, are missing at least one tooth.
  • 25% of Americans over 74 are missing all of their natural teeth.

With the statistics in mind, it’s more important than ever to understand the solutions to missing teeth, and why they’re so important to health and happiness.

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WHY USE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

It’s very important that the gaps left by missing teeth be filled, and dental implants are the most stable, secure and permanent way to do so. When one tooth falls out, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift into the empty space, ruining the alignment and the orientation of the remaining teeth. Worse, the bone structure under the missing tooth will begin to dissolve, leading to a loosening and sagging of the facial structure. Dentures can alleviate these problems, but to a much more limited degree than full implants. Besides that, dentures are a hassle to constantly remove and reattach, and can easily fail, restricting the kinds of foods you can eat and lowering your confidence.

HOW DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK

Dental implants anchor single replacement teeth or bridges that link separated replacement teeth, or even bridges that hold a full set of replacement teeth. The implants themselves are drilled directly into the jawbone, and over time they fuse together with the bone, providing a strong, supporting base. These anchors serve the dual purposes of holding the false teeth permanently and securely in place and maintaining the integrity of the bones of the jaw and face. The replacement teeth feel and operate just like natural teeth, and must be properly cared for just like natural teeth. Without continued oral hygiene, the mouth is still vulnerable to plaque and gum disease, which threatens implants just like normal teeth.

If you have damaged or missing teeth, take advantage of implant dentistry right away! Implants can not only give you new teeth that are just as secure and effective as your old, but can help maintain the integrity and shape of your jaw and facial bones. Contact Dental Partners of Boston, and let our top experts help you evaluate your needs and pick a treatment that’s right for you!

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