Adult tooth loss, or endentulism, is a serious condition that can cause far more problems than simply a loss of confidence. Approximately 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth while over 36 million Americans are completely endentulous. And those numbers are only expected to grow. Left untreated, toothlessness can lead to diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even oral cancer. While many diseases can be easily treated, there’s only a 50% survival rate past five years of diagnosis once oral cancer sets in. Loss of teeth is also almost always a major sign of advanced gum disease, a serious condition that affects over 50% of American adults. Fortunately, your Johns Creek dentist can restore your smile with dental implants. But what are the benefits of going that route in your tooth loss treatment?

Dental Implants Improve Bone and Facial Structure
Natural teeth act as anchors to the face. They literally grow out of the mandible, or lower jawbone. The rest of the face forms around the teeth and bone structure. So when even a single tooth dislodges, the mandible weakens, and the face follows. Concave or sunken cheeks and deep wrinkles around the lips, eyes, and forehead may be age-related. But when premature aging is an issue, it’s often due to tooth loss. Dental implants replace natural teeth from the root to the cap. So they re-anchor the jawline and the face conforms once more around them. Wrinkles and premature aging almost instantly fade away.

Dental Implants Improve the Abilities to Eat and Breathe
The symptoms of gum disease can come on quickly and lead to serious consequences such as sudden tooth weakness and loss. Each missing tooth further compromises the strength of the jawline. As the jawline weakens and the facial features fall inward, sinuses tend to sink. Once that occurs, breathing, vision, and hearing are often affected. The weakened jawline and loss of teeth also make eating a real challenge. Finding yourself suddenly unable to eat your favorite food because of pain and lack of chew strength can make an important part of life lose its luster. Dentures can help, but they’re removable in most cases and can easily slip. Dental implants provide a permanent replacement option to your natural teeth, so life can continue without issue.

Dental Implants Look and Feel Natural
Dental implants consist of two parts: an orthodontic anchor and a porcelain or composite prothetic. The anchor is drilled directly into the jawbone to act just as the missing tooth once did. The prosthetic is then applied to resemble and perform like the original tooth. Chewing, breathing, and smiling quickly become organic once more. And since they’re customized to each patient’s personal needs, they always look and feel completely natural once the procedure is completed and the mouth is fully healed.

Dental Implants Are Strong and Durable
Dental implants are carefully designed, constructed, and fitted to each patient’s needs to ensure years worth of durable functionality and enjoyment. Meant to function just like real teeth, implants are strong enough to handle all of life’s needs including eating, socializing, and even playing sports without concerns of slipping or breakage. Some studies report dental implants of having up to a 98% success rate. And when taken care of correctly, implants can last 25 years or longer. When you’re ready to restore your natural smile permanently, contact your Johns Creek dentist to see if dental implants are right for you.