Some Stand-Up Fellows: A Few Reasons to Be Thankful for Dental Implants

The holiday season is here again, and it’s a great time of year to call to mind all the things you have to be grateful for. While many people will immediately think of their family, friends, and fortune, it’s not a bad idea to take some time to remember all the good dental implants can do to restore patients’ smiles and quality of life. Here are a few reasons why you should be grateful for dental implants.

Dental Implants Allow Patients to Eat a Healthier Diet

Losing teeth can make it difficult to eat the wide variety of foods necessary for the body to get all the nutrients it needs to be healthy. While traditional restorations like dentures and bridges can do a lot to restore a patient’s chewing ability, they can’t match the abilities of natural teeth. It can be hard to chew things like cuts of meat, crunchy foods, and even fibrous veggies. Dental implants, however, look and work just like real teeth, which allows their patients to chew all sorts of foods normally.

Dental Implants Protect the Health of the Jaw

Like every other part of the body, the jaw needs frequent exercise in order to remain healthy and strong. This stimulation normally comes when the teeth work against the jawbone during the chewing process. When a tooth is lost, this stimulation is lost with it, and the part of the jawbone that supported the tooth will begin to recede and atrophy. As this bit of bone sinks away, it can pull the adjacent teeth out of alignment with it, which can make them more vulnerable to injury and harder to clean. This can in turn lead to the loss of these teeth and the cycle continuing all over again.

Since dental implants are surgically placed directly within the jawbone, they can prevent or reverse this process by restoring this lost exercise. This can keep the mouth from receding into the face, keeping the patient looking young and strong.

Dental Implants Look Great

Part of the reason that dental implants are considered the golden standard of tooth restoration is because they look exactly like real teeth. Unless you tell someone, no one but you and your dentist will probably ever know you have them. Tooth loss can make it hard to smile confidently, but dental implants can give you a smile you can be proud of. With proper care, they can last for decades or even a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. Alan R. DeAngelo earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and is certified in dental lasers through the World Clinical Laser Institute. He has been named by the Consumer Research Council as one of America’s Top Dentists and has received the Top Doc Chicago Award. His office in Homer Glen, IL offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. For more information on what dental implants can do for you, contact the office online or dial (708) 854-5912.