3 Reasons to Have Dental Surgery to Replace Missing Teeth

Our San Jose dental office can perform dental surgery to give you back the full functionality and appearance of your smile after tooth loss. Replacing missing teeth is a critical process for improving the outward appearance, bone health, speech, ability to eat, and self-confidence. Whether or not to replace teeth is not an option. The main option that you will want to consider is how you want to replace them. With standard options like dentures and dental bridges, many people instantly gravitate toward what they know. However, there is a third option that is far more durable and better for your health: dental implants. Surgically placing them in the jaw, dental implants are worth learning more about.

Here are the top three reasons our patients replace their teeth using dental surgery to acquire dental implants:

#1 - They want a new tooth that does not go anywhere.

Dentures may look like natural teeth, but they are designed to be removed on a nightly basis. That means your teeth can move out of place or become loose at any time. If you are trying to enjoy a nice big steak, that can be incredibly inconvenient. If you are running a marathon, it can be embarrassing. If you want teeth that stay in place no matter what, you need implants.

#2 - Implants stop resorption.

Within the first year of losing a tooth, you will start to experience resorption — at a rate of 25 percent in a single year. Resorption is when the body begins to leach calcium from your jawbone because it believes that your jaw is no longer doing its job of supporting your teeth. The more calcium your jaw loses, the less dense it will be. Resorption puts your remaining teeth at risk and can cause your face to have a sunken appearance, making you look far older than you are. Dental implants provide your jaw with the stimulation it needs to stop the resorption process. During the dental surgery, the surgeon attaches the implant to the jawbone so osseointegration can take place.

#3 - They're looking for a solution that looks natural.

Dental implants are the most natural-looking way to replace teeth because a dental lab creates the tooth portion to your exact specifications and measurements. The lab can even match the shade of white necessary to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Since the tooth is secured to your implant, it is not connected to your other teeth in any way. There are no visible wires or hooks like with dentures and no dental crowns to worry about, like with a dental bridge.

Dental Surgery Is Your Best Option

When it comes down to convenience, appearance, health, and durability, nothing compares with the benefits that come from dental implants. When you use implants to replace your teeth, you can eat all your favorite foods, maintain a healthy lifestyle without worrying about your teeth, exercise, laugh out loud, and do anything you would with a full set of natural teeth. There are no restrictions beyond taking care of your smile. To learn more about the many benefits, call and schedule a consultation with our San Jose dental office.