Are Dental Implants Worth The Investment?

Your oral health can take a turn for the worse due to myriad reasons. Perhaps you were involved in an accident and had one or more teeth knocked out of your mouth. Alternatively, you may have developed gum disease or decay that leads to the loss of a tooth. Whatever the scenario, missing teeth can deal a huge blow to your self-esteem and, unfortunately, change your appearance. Granted, you have a range of tooth replacement options that you can consider depending on how flexible your budget is. However, none are as effective nor as expensive as dental implants.

These prosthetic teeth have witnessed a progressive rise in popularity over the years and this unwavering acclaim can be attributed to various unbeatable benefits that dental implants offer over other replacement solutions. Nonetheless, the hefty price tag these prosthetics come with is enough to make you second-guess yourself. Before you assume dental implants are too costly, consider the following reasons why they are worth the investment. 

Prevent the displacement of your remaining teeth

A side effect of missing teeth that not many people are aware of is how the gap affects the neighbouring teeth. The mistake commonly made by some patients is presuming one missing tooth, especially if it is at the back of the mouth, will not be easily noticeable. However, over time, the teeth on either side of the gap will gradually begin to shift out of place. If one does not take any measures to prevent this, the missing tooth they presumed innocuous will have led to the unfortunate misalignment of their previously healthy teeth.

This problem is not merely cosmetic, as the displaced teeth will make it challenging for you to either chew or bite food. Not to mention that the crookedness will further detract from your smile. When you invest in a dental implant, you are inadvertently ensuring that your remaining teeth do not end up supplanting.

Safeguard against periodontal disease

The second surprising advantage of dental implants that you may be unaware of is their role in maintaining your oral health by decreasing the risk of periodontal disease. When you have one or more missing teeth, a substantial amount of your gums is exposed. This can prove to be a problem in a couple of ways. To begin with, the space between the reaming teeth will begin to harbour food particles, plaque and other debris. Resultantly, you are at increased risk of gingivitis and this puts you at risk of additional tooth loss.

Secondly, the exposed gums are at a heightened threat or injury when you chew on crunchy snacks or sharp bones, increasing the risk of infection. When you invest in dental implants, you limit the exposure of your gums while eliminating pockets in the gap that would harbour foreign matter, which would eventually cause periodontal disease.

To learn more about dental implants, reach out to a local dentist.