The loss of a tooth can affect you in many ways. It can make eating your favorite foods more difficult, and it can alter the way your smile looks. Some people find that these changes negatively impact their quality of life. If you're missing one or more teeth, you've probably looked into the available options for restoring your teeth. Here are four reasons that dental implants might be the correct choice for you:
1. Prevent bone erosion.
Missing teeth can contribute to erosion in your jawbone over time. This is because chewing stimulates your jawbone, keeping it strong, according to Pasadena Periodontics & Dental Implants. Dental implants can give you a surface that will allow you to chew, which will provide the requisite pressure to keep your bones healthy. In order to preserve as much bone as possible, it's best to get your implants put in as soon as possible following the loss of your natural tooth.
2. Avoid the hassle of temporary solutions.
Partial dentures are commonly used by people who are missing teeth. This option has the benefit of being completely noninvasive. Unfortunately, the downside is that you need to remove dentures before going to bed at night, and they can be harder to clean than dental implants. You might lose your dentures while they're out of your mouth, and replacements can be quite expensive. Dental implants stay in your mouth permanently, and they will allow you to eat whole apples and other foods that may be difficult or impossible to eat while wearing dentures.
3. Keep your remaining teeth intact.
Dental bridges are another available solution for people who wish to restore missing teeth. However, in the course of installing a dental bridge, your dentist would have to shave enamel off the adjacent teeth so dental crowns can be applied. This causes damage to those teeth, and it means you would have to continue to wear crowns over them for the rest of your life. If you would prefer to keep your teeth intact, dental implants are an option that will allow you to do that.
4. Regain confidence in your smile.
If your missing teeth are visible when you smile, this can cause confidence issues. You may find yourself unwilling to show your teeth in photos, which can take a toll over time. Dental implants can provide replacement teeth that are indistinguishable from your natural teeth. You'll be able to grin with confidence, and no one will know that you have implants unless you decide to tell them. Visit a nearby dental implant service to learn more.