5 Facts About Dental Implants

Dental implants can revolutionize your smile!

Dental implants are a modern type of permanent tooth replacement featuring a titanium post permanently embedded into your jaw with a natural-looking crown placed on top.

Despite the growing popularity of dental implants, there are still some misconceptions about the procedure and benefits.  

To help build awareness and understanding, our dentist in Charleston would like to share 5 facts about dental implants.  

5 Facts About Dental Implants

1. Dental implants preserve the shape of your face

Your teeth help maintain the natural shape of your face through biting and chewing, as it puts pressure on your tooth roots which stimulate the formation of new bone mass to strengthen your jaw. Losing teeth can change the appearance of your face over time through the loss of that gum tissue and jawbone density, leading other teeth in your mouth to migrate, become loose, or even fall out.

Dental implants help restore your bone density by acting as a replacement tooth root, stimulating new tissue and bone growth just as natural teeth would.  

2. Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth

Dental implants feature a titanium post that your dentist surgically places into your jawbone. Over the course of several weeks, the post fuses with your bone tissue in a biological process that dentists refer to as osseointegration. Once osseointegration is complete, your dentist will place a permanent dental crown on top of the dental implant to create a natural-looking, fully-functional tooth replacement.

Unlike dentures and dental bridges that wear out and need replacing every 7 to 10 years, your dental implants are a permanent solution to your missing teeth when properly cared for.  

3. Dental implants can hold more than one crown

Dental implants can hold one or multiple crowns. While a single dental implant holds a single crown, All-on-4 (or All-on-X) can replace an entire upper or lower denture without slipping or falling out.  

4. Dental implants cost less than you might think

Getting dental implants can cost more than getting dentures, but they will likely save you money in the long run. Dentures often break or need to be replaced every 7 to 10 years, so you’ll need to invest in new dentures frequently. Dental implants, by comparison, are permanent tooth replacements – you’ll never have to spend another dime on the implant itself, although you may need to update the dental crown now and again.

5. Dental implants have been around for centuries

Believe it or not, evidence shows that the Mayan people were the first to use implants to replace teeth in 600 AD. Made from shells, these early dental implants worked surprisingly well. In fact, researchers in the 1970s x-rayed the jawbones of some Mayan skeletons and found that osseointegration had taken place.  

Dental implants have improved over the centuries. Dentists began implanting human teeth from the 1500s to the 1800s. Modern dental implants began in the 1950s, when researcher Dr. Branemark found that titanium implant components fuse completely with bone tissue.  

Where Can I Find Dental Implants from a Dentist Near Me?

If you need dental implants, our dentist in Charleston and our dentist in Mt. Pleasant can help. At CHS Dental Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we use the latest in dental technology to provide effective and efficient 5-star treatment for you and every member of your family. Connect with us for more information on dental implants.

‍