How Dental Implants Increase In Popularity Over the Years

A good smile has more benefits than you think which is why people spend thousands of dollars yearly to ensure that their teeth are perfect. There are many dental procedures that can give you the smile you need. Some are reserved for worst-case scenarios such as ones where you have missing teeth.

Whether it’s caused by an accident or poor dental health, missing teeth is one of the worst things to happen to your health. The most common treatment for this is getting dentures however, there are better options. With those other options, you no longer have to worry about your dentures dropping while in public.

We are, of course, talking about dental implants. It’s a surgery that has become more popular over the last couple of years. While expensive, it’s one of the best ways to get that perfect smile even if you’ve lost some of your teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

To put it simply, dental implant surgery is a procedure through which licensed professionals replace your tooth’s roots with metal screws like posts and then use these as a base for artificial teeth. The goal is to give you fake teeth that look, feel, and function like real ones.

Dental implants serve as a good alternative to dentures in more ways than one. For instance, you need to have natural teeth roots to be able to use dentures. In cases when your teeth’ roots aren’t enough, dentists often suggest this form of surgery.

Since they are basically like real teeth, dental implants serve as a good alternative for putting that smile back on your face.

The surgery is also a bit more complex than you think. Essentially, dentists have to consider the condition of your jawbone as well. The surgery may require more procedures depending on your health. Since the replacement teeth act and function like the real thing, your jawbone needs to heal around the implant.

One of the longest parts of the procedure is the bone healing process. Usually, it can take up to months before the new teeth heal to become a part of your jawbone. Once the implants heal, what you have are basically like natural teeth. It not only boosts your confidence but can also help you chew your food more properly too.

Types Of Dental Implants

There are many types of dental implants that you should know about. Each one caters to specific needs which is why you must know about them all. Of course, your dentist will recommend what type you should get after the initial assessment. Here are the three most common types of dental implants.

● Endosteal Implants - This is the most common type of dental implant because it generally fits most patients. All it requires really is a strong and healthy jawbone for the implants to be fused into. What we’ve described above is the procedure for endosteal implants so it’s standard for the post-like screws to be installed in your teeth’ roots. The downside to endosteal implants is that they can take a long time to heal.

● Subperiosteal Implants - If endosteal implants aren’t for you, then the next alternative will be subperiosteal implants. On these procedures, the posts aren/t installed on your jawbone. Instead, they’ll be placed just on top of the bone but are still under the gums. The gums will be the ones to heal around the metal frame used for the implants. This is the common alternative if the patient doesn’t have enough jawbone for an endosteal implant.

● Zygomatic Implants - Last but not least is zygomatic implants. This is the most complicated form of dental implant and again, it’s good only if you don’t have enough jawbone for an endosteal implant. Instead of the jawbone, the implant is installed on the patient’s cheekbones.

The techniques and procedures behind dental implants continue to improve over the last couple of years. Aside from these common procedures, some dental experts are also providing their own forms of dental implant procedures as well.

Some have made the procedure easier for the patients to endure. For instance, the All On 4 dental implants from Cutting Edge Periodontist is one of the new leading forms of dental implants. In this surgery, patients can receive a full arch of teeth in one day using strategically placed implants.

Dental experts are always looking for ways to improve dental implants. As the technology behind the surgery progresses, we can expect to see more options that cater to more needs. Now, we’ve said that surgery has become more popular in the last couple of years. How has the trend changed specifically?

Dental Implants Over The Last Years

Not a lot of people were keen on getting dental implants at the start of the surgery. One of the primary concerns was that people really weren’t fond of the idea of having metal frames and screws installed in their jaw. It also was a disadvantage that the operation was still in its early stages at the time.

However, as more people tried dental implants and more light was shed on the surgery, it has become one of the most preferred means to get a perfect smile. According to statistics, dental implants were only present in 0.7% of the population from 1999-2000.

Of all the demographics, the largest absolute increase in dental implants was from individuals aged 65 to 74. Although dentures were the preferred option by the elderly before, it’s great that they are trying out dental implants which are obviously less hassle and more maintainable as compared to other methods.

What’s even more surprising is that the global dental industry is on the rise as well. As of 2020, the industry is projected to be worth $3.6 billion. It’s expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 11.0% from 2021 to 2028. Then in the succeeding years, even more growth is expected from the industry.

As per the research, the increasing applications for dental implants are caused by many factors. One of the most prominent factors is the increasing acceptance among patients and dental surgeons of dental implants. This is brought on by the fact that removable prosthetics offer downsides such as discomfort, lack of natural appearance, and they are also high maintenance.

Now, one question remains - will dental implants completely replace removable prosthetics such as dentures? For now, the main hindrance for dental implants is their prices. The average cost of dental implants is around $4,000 per tooth. Whereas for dentures, you can get those for less than $1,000.

While expensive, it’s worth noting that dental implants are lifetime investments as well. That means the patient won’t have to worry about getting another one anytime soon. Moreover, experts believe that the price of dental implants will drop significantly as more studies are poured into finding cost-efficient surgery techniques as well.

With its rise in popularity discussed, let’s now talk about the benefits of dental implants.

Matches Your Teeth And Jaw

The main problem people have with removable prosthetics like dentures is that they don’t look natural. Regardless of how well made the dentures are, it’s tough for them to accurately simulate what your missing teeth look like. In some cases, the dentures look misaligned.

Since dental implants are embedded into the bone itself, it looks more natural as compared to removable prosthetics, they really do fit your set of teeth and they look very natural. So far, no other prosthetic can match the natural look that dental implants can give so it’s mostly the preferred option by those who don’t want their teeth to stand out too much.

Easy Maintenance

Another upside to dental implants is that they are a lot easier to maintain. It’s not even recommended to sleep with dentures on but for dental implants, that’s all okay.

With regards to cleaning and maintenance, you simply have to treat your implants as you would any of your teeth. Brush regularly and it will be as good as new all the time. However, there are some precautions that you have to take especially if the implants have just been installed.

During the healing process, you need to be very careful so as you don’t cause any serious fractures or issues to the implants. This means avoiding foods that are too hard and any solid impact on your jaw and teeth. Keep in mind that your jaw will be very sensitive as it begins to heal and meld with the implants.

As you would regular teeth, it’s important that you have yours - along with your dental implants, go through a thorough cleaning from a dentist at least twice a year. This prevents any plaque build-up and other issues usually caused by poor dental hygiene.

Comfort

Removable prosthetics are designed and measured to fit your mouth as properly as possible. However, the problem is that they can still be uncomfortable to wear. Worse, some people have trouble using removable prosthetics because they feel very unnatural. That’s not even accounting for the fact that they can fall off as you are eating or talking.

Dental implants are made to look and feel like natural teeth. Whether you are talking or eating, dental implants feel just like real teeth. That means they can provide comfort that no other prosthetics can offer.

Once the implant has settled and healed, you won’t even notice it’s there. Even if you’re sleeping, you won’t even be bothered by it. For this reason alone, some people on dentures eventually shift to dental implants.

Better Bite Force

When it’s finally healed, your dental implants will be like a part of your jaw bone structure as well. This comes with many benefits in itself but most important is that it can restore your bite force. If you’ve been used to using dentures, you know how cautious you have to be when biting into hard food like well-done steaks and other meats.

With your bite force restored, you’ll be able to eat more comfortably as well. You don’t have to avoid anything hard as all food can be chewed like it did when you still had a full set of teeth. Other tooth restoration options don’t restore bite force because they sit on top of your gums.

Lesser Teeth Problems To Worry About

Although they look natural and feel natural, the teeth from dental implants are not real. That being said, they don’t suffer from the usual problems that one would face when having real teeth. More specifically, we are talking about cavities.

Of course, you still need to brush your teeth regularly to prevent bacteria build-up inside your mouth. Still, its immunity to cavities and other teeth-related issues is a big plus for many people. In reality, the only problem you’ll face when it comes to dental implants is if you get a serious jaw injury which results in the misalignment of your teeth.

Since you have lesser teeth to worry about, you have lower chances of having to go to the dentist again and again too. It’s great as you no longer have to spend more on dental services other than the regular cleaning you have to take yearly.

Better Confidence

Having teeth problems greatly discourages a person and his confidence. Even if you have dentures, there’s always that fear of slippage which can hinder your ability to talk as much as you want and laugh as much as you want.

Dental implants give you a full set of perfect teeth and these alone can greatly improve your confidence in yourself. Once the surgery has healed, you’ll be able to smile without worries and to other things without any concern as well.

Dental implants are a great way to restore your teeth and your confidence all at once. While it’s pricey, what you get in return for this investment is something that can’t be valued by any means. The good news is that with so many dentists offering the service, you’re sure to find a dental implant plan that works well for you and your budget.