If you have one or more missing teeth, you might consider dental implants as your solution to smile and bite restoration. Though implants are the best near-permanent options for tooth replacement, they have many other benefits, such as ensuring proper teeth alignment.
As a top family dentist in New Orleans, we at Dental Arts of New Orleans know the harm and difficulties that incorrect dental alignment can cause. As a result, we specialize in dental implants, which you can learn more about in the post below.
How Dental Implants Positively Affect Tooth Alignment
Before learning how implants help maintain dental alignment, it’s good to know what they are and how they work. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots consisting of small metal rods, usually titanium.
If you have missing teeth, a dental surgeon can surgically insert a rod through your gum tissue and into your jawbone to replace each absent tooth root. As the surgical sites heal, the bone fuses to the rods and keeps them firmly in place. Part of the rod extends above the gum line as the abutment that attaches to the replacement tooth or crown.
Now that you know what dental implants are and what to expect from the procedure, keep reading to learn the benefits of this restorative treatment.
Adjacent Teeth Stabilization
Losing a tooth might not seem like a big problem, but it can become one over time. If you lose a tooth, the teeth next to it can shift toward the emptiness over time.
This shift can cause improper teeth alignment, which can affect your physical appearance and bite. Depending on the location of the affected teeth, you could experience discomfort while chewing or develop uneven wear to your teeth, further impacting your smile and dental health.
Since dental implants fill the void between teeth, the treatment can prevent the dental shift from occurring. They create balance and help restore your bite alignment. You can comfortably chew because you’ll have even pressure distribution across all teeth.
Jawbone Density Preservation
Besides addressing bite misalignment and preventing teeth shifting, dental implants can also help with bone loss prevention. A consequence of losing a tooth root is that the jawbone in that area no longer has anything to stimulate new growth.
Without sufficient jawbone density, your healthy teeth could lose their stability, which could result in additional tooth loss. Dental implants serve as replacement tooth roots that promote jawbone growth and prevent bone loss.
Long-Term Dental Stability
Unlike temporary or removable tooth replacement options like bridges and dentures, dental implants provide a high level of durability and longevity. Once the implants bond to your jawbone, they become permanent fixtures in your mouth. Because dental implants with artificial teeth look and feel like natural teeth, you don’t have to worry about taking them out or caring for them any differently than you’d treat your natural teeth.
Dental implants are low-maintenance and can ensure proper teeth alignment for decades. As such, you can have a long-term foundation for your oral health and a beautiful smile without open spaces between teeth.
Implants can even allow for long-term alignment with opposing teeth. If you lose a tooth and leave the space empty for too long, the opposing tooth could elongate due to the lack of contact between both teeth on the upper and lower jaws when you close your mouth. You can restore that crucial point of contact permanently by getting a dental implant.
Turn to Dental Arts of New Orleans Today for a Dental Implant Consultation
Whether you’re considering dental implants after a recent tooth loss or years after extraction, count on our professionals at Dental Arts of New Orleans to help. Our compassionate, knowledgeable team can help with everything from ensuring proper teeth alignment to whitening teeth and creating healthy, vibrant smiles. You don’t have to worry about your smile if you’re missing teeth. Let us help — call (504) 394-5330 today to explore your options or request an appointment.
