Dental implants are an artificial prosthetic that is analogous to the root of a tooth. The implant is embedded into a patient’s jawbone. Over time the bonne will essentially meld with the implant. Artificial teeth, known as crowns, are placed on top of the implant in order to replace natural teeth. Their average cost is around $1,500 to $2,000 per implant. People derive a number of different benefits from dental implants:

1. Prevents bone loss
A dental implant isn’t just about repairing damage to one’s teeth. The implant can actually protect people against further dental problems. Bone loss tends to escalate over time. When people lose or experience damage to their teeth then the entire foundation of the jaw suffers to some extent. A dental implant essentially fills in the area lost to previous damage. In doing so one is also enhancing the overall stability of his or her jaw bone.

2. Matches natural teeth
Dental implants are the best way to fully restore the appearance of one’s teeth. Bridgework or dentures can act as an impressive way to help restore a smile. However, they suffer from the fact that the artificial teeth aren’t fully integrated alongside the natural teeth. It’s important to look at Dental implants as tooth replacement rather than a simple accessory. The implant gives one the ability to actually restore a lost tooth. It’s true that the new tooth is artificial rather than natural. However, the tooth fits into one’s mouth in exactly the same way that a natural one would.

3. Restores bite force
The human jaw is a remarkably complex structure. Likewise, people unconsciously chew their food through a combination of complex instinct and experience. The loss of even one tooth can dramatically decrease the overall force of one’s bite. However, an implant can fully restore one’s ability to chew food. The main reason behind this restored function is that implants function in exactly the same way as a natural tooth.

4. Prevents changes in face shape
Facial features are heavily influenced by the shape of one’s jaw. Any alteration in the shape of one’s jaw will therefore alter facial features. This includes loss of bone density or teeth. Dental implants can prevent facial features from changing. This is due to the fact that implants essentially restore the exact shape of one’s teeth and jaw.

5. Enables natural speech
People’s voices are in large part due to an interplay between various parts of their mouth and throat. Because of this any damage to one’s mouth will often impair speech. Even minor changes such as a lost tooth can have a significant impact on speech. Dental implants ensure one’s voice remains natural. Again, this is due to the fact that dental implants fully restore the exact structure of one’s teeth and jaw.

6. Prevents cavities
Dental implants function almost exactly like natural teeth. One of the few exceptions to this rule is something everyone enjoys. This refers to the fact that dental implants and crowns are immune to cavities. Plaque, oral bacteria and tartar break down substances found in natural teeth in order to create cavities. However, crowns and implants are synthetic. As a result of this fact the implant and crown are impervious to cavities.