Are you missing teeth? If so, you’re certainly not alone. The majority of Americans over the age of 35 have lost at least one tooth, and around 10 percent of adults over the age of 50 have no remaining teeth. What can we do with this information? Talk about prevention — and how you can keep your teeth. Replacement is also crucial.
Why Tooth Loss Occurs (And How to Prevent It)
The risk factors for missing teeth include your age. Most people who have one or more missing teeth are over the age of 35. Men are slightly more likely to experience tooth loss, as well as people who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or HIV/AIDS. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are linked to tooth loss, too.
Some of the factors causing missing teeth are out of your control — like genetics or developing a disease that results in tooth loss. But there are things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Frequent brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist for regularly scheduled appointments goes far in promoting good oral health. Smoking and tobacco use are closely linked to gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss. Kicking the habit can help you keep all your teeth in your mouth, where they belong.
Dental Implants: The Sturdy Replacement Following Tooth Loss
When you’ve lost a tooth, you’re not just missing the crown, or the part you can see. You have also lost its supporting root. Dental implants are the only option that replaces both.
Conventional dental implants take up to one year to complete and can replace teeth in the upper and lower jaw. To be an eligible candidate for conventional dental implants, you must be in good oral and overall health. People suffering from periodontal disease or conditions affecting the immune system, like diabetes, advanced cancers, or HIV/AIDS are typically not eligible for dental implants.
But even if you’re not an ideal candidate for traditional dental implants, you may still be able to benefit from mini dental implants. The tiny titanium implants can support an existing lower denture or be inserted after recent tooth loss. Mini dental implants require no stitches, and the healing time is much shorter than traditional dental implants.
Multiple Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer unparalleled security and stability for prosthetic teeth, especially when compared with options that only replace the tooth’s crown, like the crown and bridge or a non-implant supported denture. Additional benefits of implant dentistry include…
- Eat, speak, and smile with full confidence
- Freedom from slipping, sliding dentures
- Better oral health with the stability of a prosthetic root
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last forever. They truly are the best investment you can make in tooth replacement.
Schedule an Appointment Today
You can benefit from the strength and stability of dental implants. Please contact us to discuss your eligibility for implant dentistry today. Request an appointment with your dentist in Marietta online.