People have tried many ways to replace lost teeth throughout the centuries, and the most famous tooth replacement appliance in history may be George Washington’s set of ivory dentures. Thankfully, dentistry has come a long way in the past few decades and now offers lifelike dental implants that look, feel, and function just like real teeth. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation surrounding them that might give some people the wrong idea about how they work. Here’s three little-known facts about these wonderful artificial teeth.
Dental Implants Don’t Get Cavities
The harmful oral bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and excrete enamel-destroying acid, leading to tooth decay, cavities, and other oral infections. While this acid is horrible for your natural teeth, dental implants are completely immune to it since they are made from titanium and porcelain. However, it’s still important to practice excellent oral hygiene after receiving dental implants to prevent gum disease that can cause them to fail and tooth decay that can destroy your remaining natural teeth.
Dental Implants Boast a Success Rate of Over 95%
People are wise to be wary of promises that sound too good to be true, but the fact is that more than 95% of dental implants are still healthy and functional ten years after placement. How well the patient takes care of their dental implant is usually the deciding factor in how long their new tooth can last, and implants only require the same oral hygiene measures as natural teeth to stay in great shape. With excellent care that includes a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash, a dental implant may last as long as three decades or even a lifetime.
Dental Implants Can Improve Your Nutrition
Tooth loss can make it much more difficult to each such healthy foods as fresh meat, raw veggies, and crunchy nuts since they are too hard or chewy. While traditional restorations like dentures and dental bridges restore some of a patient’s chewing power, they often still have issues with tougher foods like steak, which is an all-time favorite dish of many people. Since dental implants are placed directly into and naturally fused with your jawbone, they enjoy a sturdy foundation that allows them to chew anything natural teeth can, leading to better nutrition and tastier meals.
Dental implants have vastly improved the lives of many patients by restoring their smiles as well as their speaking and chewing abilities. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to tell if implants are the right course of treatment for you.
About the Practice
My Frederick Dentist offers its patients the best oral health services in town. Led by Drs. Andrew Aziz and Sunghyeok Hong, the staff ensures that each patient receives effective treatment in a comfortable environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. To schedule your consultation for dental implants, contact the practice online or dial (301) 698-9552.