If you have missing teeth, dental implants are probably one of the most popular options for you. During the past decade, dental implants have become extremely popular due to advancements in dental technology and an increased success rate. In fact, at My Dentist at Morgan Creek, our doctors with almost two decades in practicing implant dentistry in South Surrey and White Rock, BC are ready to provide services to your dental implant needs. We receive many patient referrals for dental implants because we were one of the first dental offices to introduce guided implant surgery in Canada in 2005 and more recently, 3D Printing technology and Cerec® CAD/CAM technology.
In order to determine whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants, Dr. Potluri and Dr. Pillai need to consider the condition of your jawbone, gums, and other health factors. However, Dr. Potluri and Dr. Pillai’s expertise and commitment to utilizing the latest in dental technology and techniques have enabled them to perform dental implants with more precision, minimal patient discomfort, and significantly less recovery time.
Dental Implants and Age Limitations
Losing a tooth can happen to us at any age because of accidents or illnesses. If you are of a young age, you will most likely prefer to replace those missing teeth with dental implants because they are just like your natural teeth. However, in order for a young person to consider dental implants his or her jaw must be fully developed, which usually happens in early adulthood. Undergoing a dental implants procedure before the full development of the jaw increases the possibility of treatment failure.
On the other hand, for the majority of adults with a fully-developed jaw, dental implant procedures can be successful in their 80s or even 90s. If there are no health issues that could affect the success of the procedure and the jawbone is thick enough to support an implant, then there is no upper age limit. Performing guided implant surgery aided by 3D imaging means that your dental implant surgical procedure will be more accurate and less invasive and your recovery time period much faster.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
1. Self-Confidence
Individuals of all ages want to maintain an active social life and dental implants enable them to do so. Since dental implants are very similar to your natural teeth, they can provide you with self-confidence, as well as the convenience you experience with your natural teeth. Often, individuals who replace their missing teeth with dentures or bridges, still feel self-conscious about eating out or smiling because they are concerned that they may fall out. The permanent nature of implants provides you the security and confidence of knowing that your implants won’t fall out or move.
2. Stop Jawbone Deterioration
When you don’t replace a missing tooth right away with a dental implant, the jawbone resorption process will begin. Basically, your jawbone begins to deteriorate because of the lack of stimulation to the jawbone by the tooth roots and natural chewing forces. It is estimated that we can lose up to 25% in bone width within the first year of losing a tooth if we don’t replace it with an implant.
3. Prevent Teeth from Shifting
Additionally, failing to replace missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Also, bone deterioration may not be limited to the area underneath the missing tooth; it can spread to neighbouring teeth. Consequently, the shifting of adjacent teeth coupled with a decrease in jawbone strength results in a change in bite alignment. If you experience bite misalignment, you may begin to suffer from reduced chewing ability and strain in the jaw muscles. These conditions can lead to tooth pain, tooth hypersensitivity, headaches, and discomfort. In some cases, this could even cause TMJ Dysfunction.
4. Avoid Premature Aging
As bone loss progresses underneath healthy teeth, it may result in the loss of additional teeth. You will also notice that your jawline will begin to become smaller. As this begins to happen, your facial appearance changes and you will experience premature aging. In fact, if you lose additional teeth and your jawbone continues to deteriorate, the distance from your nose to your chin can decrease. This change can even cause the lower third of your face to partially collapse and your lips will start to sag, forming an unhappy expression.
Dental Implant are a Low-Maintenance Option
Let’s face it, most people don’t have extra patience nor time to spend trying to keep teeth replacements in optimal condition. If you want a low-maintenance teeth replacement option then dental implants are the ideal choice for you. This is because the daily maintenance of dental implants is the same as that of your natural teeth (brush and floss at least twice daily). Unlike removable options like dentures or bridges, you don’t have to remove them before you go to sleep in order to soak them in a denture cleaning solution, in addition to brushing. You also avoid the hustle and cost of dental adhesives to keep your dentures from shifting in your mouth.
If you would like more information about teeth replacement options like dental implants or dentures, contact My Dentist at Morgan Creek. Our dentists will help you find the solution that’s suitable for you. Good candidates for dental implants need healthy gums and adequate bone support in order to hold the implant. Schedule an appointment for a thorough evaluation today. Book your consultation by phone at 604-542-0123 or online.
