How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Smile and Your Oral Health

Are you missing a tooth or two? You might be surprised to learn that upwards of 120 million Americans are in the same situation, and 36 million have lost all their teeth. 

Hypodontia — the medical term for missing teeth — is a huge cosmetic problem, but it also affects your oral health. 

We can help you restore both.

Dr. Mehrnoosh Darj and our team at Affordable Dental Associates help folks throughout El Paso and Socorro, Texas, fill the gaps with permanent dental implants that save their healthy smiles. 

What exactly is wrong with missing teeth, you may ask?

Simply put: Missing teeth wreck your oral health. 

When you lose teeth, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation. As your jawbone density decreases, your facial structure changes and looks sunken and aged. 

Another downside to lost teeth is potential misalignment. The gaps left by missing teeth allow your remaining teeth to shift into the open area, resulting in bite problems. 

Those spaces also make it difficult to chew your food thoroughly, leading to digestive problems. If your inability to chew makes you avoid certain food groups, you may not eat a balanced diet, which triggers other health conditions like malnutrition. 

Beyond these physical issues, missing teeth can also take an emotional toll. A gappy smile diminishes self-confidence and contributes to social anxiety. 

The good news is that dental implants can safeguard your smile and oral health. Here’s how.

Cosmetic benefits of dental implants

White, straight teeth are stunning, but a complete smile is the foundation. If you’re missing a few chompers, here’s what dental implants can do for your smile.

A mouth makeover

Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. They fuse with your jawbone and become a permanent part of your anatomy, giving you a natural-looking smile. 

Self-esteem booster

Missing teeth can tank your self-esteem and make you self-conscious about your appearance. Dental implants fix your smile and give you more confidence in social and professional settings.

Easier speech

Missing teeth changes your speech patterns, causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants restore your mouth’s structure, so your tongue and teeth work harmoniously again, allowing you to speak confidently and clearly.

Health benefits of dental implants

Most people don’t see the connection between lost teeth and oral health, but we do. For starters, open spaces allow bacteria to build up on the gums and hard tissues. Dental implants close the gaps and give your teeth a fighting chance against tooth decay and other related issues. 

Here are a few more advantages of dental implants:

Bone preservation

Your jawbone needs the stimulation that comes from chewing to maintain its density. So, when you lose teeth, you also lose bone mass in your jaw. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces jawbone stimulation and prevents bone loss.

Better oral health

We’ve been saying that dental implants improve your oral health; here’s how:

• We don’t have to alter neighboring teeth to support the implant
• Implants give you easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene
• Implants don’t shift or rub, so your gums stay healthy and comfortable

Living with dental implants is no different than living with a mouthful of natural teeth.

Durability and convenience

Dental implants are durable and built to last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime. 

If you’re convinced and ready to try dental implants, call Affordable Dental Associates or book online today. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you start your dental implant journey.