Advantages of Choosing Single Tooth Dental Implants

Losing even one tooth can be unpleasant and many people find it very upsetting. It can be even worse when the tooth is right in front of the mouth and is highly visible. So what is the best way to replace it and why? Here at Ladbroke Grove Dental Care, we often recommend dental implants as they can be especially good for replacing just a single tooth. While there are alternatives such as a partial denture or a dental bridge, these are not quite as good and don’t have the same health benefits as a dental implant.

What Happens to Your Mouth When You Lose a Tooth?

When you lose a tooth then your tooth root will also be removed. The root of the tooth is really quite long and extends into the jawbone. This helps to secure a natural tooth firmly in place but also has another important function. When you bite down on a natural tooth it creates a certain amount of force.

This force travels through the crown of the tooth, which is the part exposed in the mouth, down into the tooth root and out into the surrounding bone. The fact that these forces are transmitted in this way is very important for the health of your jawbone as it stimulates the bone, telling it in needs to continue to renew old bone cells.

As you can imagine, once a natural tooth root is removed the jawbone no longer receives this stimulation and doesn’t bother renewing old bone cells. The result is a jawbone that will gradually deteriorate and this has a destabilising effect on your remaining teeth. In addition, leaving a space in the mouth will enable the remaining teeth to move and shift position slightly; even those opposing the gap will begin moving towards it.

How a Dental Implant Can Help Dental Health

This will not be a problem if you opt for dental implants. A dental implant consists of a post that is inserted into the jawbone, replacing a natural tooth root and ensuring the surrounding bone remains healthy. Over time, the implant post actually fuses with your jawbone, almost becoming part of your body. It’s made from biocompatible titanium so any problems would be extremely rare. In fact dental implants have a very high success rate that’s often in excess of 95%.

A Single Dental Implant Can Look Amazing

A single dental implant can look amazingly natural, particularly when restored with a beautiful all-ceramic crown. You’ll find your new tooth looks as if it is emerging from your gum, just like a real tooth. A single dental implant is also very easy to care for. You can brush and floss it just like you would the rest of your teeth. Regular check-ups with your dentist will help keep it healthy and strong. Many people are able to enjoy the benefits of having dental implants for decades or even for life as treatment should be extremely long lasting.