In a child, a lost tooth is a sign of growing up. In an adult, it’s cause for panic. Just looking at the newly formed gap in a smile can be enough to raise anyone’s heart rate. Thankfully, dental implants can replace a lost tooth, filling in the gap and restoring the smile. But the benefits of dental implants are more than just cosmetic. Below, your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Darlene Henry, explores several other benefits of dental implants.

Three Benefits of Dental Implants

1. They provide a more natural feel. Dental implants mimic a tooth’s structure. The prosthetic crown is visible above the surface of the gums, while the implant’s post, a titanium rod, acts as an anchor in the jawbone, just like a tooth’s root. Thus, rather than relying on the surrounding teeth to stabilize the prosthetic tooth, dental implants utilize the jawbone. The result is a more natural feel with increased stability.
2. They work against the domino effect. The domino effect is a particularly nasty complication that sometimes stems from a lost tooth. The domino effect refers to a condition in which teeth continue to fall out of the mouth one after the other as a result of a single lost tooth. This complication occurs because the body stops sending nutrients to the area vacated by the lost tooth. Unfortunately, nearby teeth sometimes don’t receive adequate nutrition as a result, and eventually they too fall out. Dental implants work against the domino effect because the body recognizes the post of the implant as a tooth’s root and restores the flow of nutrients to the area.
3. They can improve jawbone health. Another complication that sometimes results from tooth loss is decreased bone density in the jaw. This condition occurs because the bone cells of the jaw do not receive adequate stimulation. Bone cells thrive on the forces of biting and chewing, but when a tooth falls out, these forces are no longer transmitted. However, when a dental implant is placed, the stimulating forces can once again make their way to the bone cells by means of the implant’s post, resulting in an increase in bone density and a healthier jawbone.

Dental Implants from Your Erlanger Dentist

Have you lost a tooth? Dental implants can replace it with a realistic and functional prosthetic. Contact our 41018 dentist office at 859-344-8500 to schedule an appointment with your Erlanger dentist, Dr. Henry. We serve patients from Erlanger, Cincinnati, Crestview Hills, Fort Mitchell, Florence, Union, Independence, and Taylor Mill.