The American Academy of Implant Dentistry sponsors the annual celebration of Dental Implant Awareness in September. According to AAID President, Bernee Dunson, DDS, FAAID, DABOI/ID, “Many people know that implants bring back beautiful smiles, but the life-changing benefits go beyond esthetics. It’s important for people to understand that they help restore overall health.” Thus, this year’s theme of “Healthy Mouth, Health You!” But what does it really mean?
Anyone dealing with the loss of a single tooth is generally anxious to quickly restore their smile. Smiling in public, talking to others, or eating without pain or messiness can create extreme stress and embarrassment in most everyday situations. While there are other replacement options, dental implants are truly a more desirable option for health, aesthetic, and financial reasons.
Injury, infection, or decay are common reasons teeth must be removed. No matter the reason, dental implants are an option of aesthetic and restorative dentistry often suggested to replace lost teeth. With more than 120 million people in the US missing at least one tooth, dental implants can be a smart choice for adults of all ages. They can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire jaw of teeth.
Bone loss is a common consequence of lost teeth, when left unreplaced. Jawbone is preserved through the pressure and stimulus of chewing. When jawbone is removed through tooth loss, the bone reabsorbs into the body. After a tooth extraction, 25% of bone is lost in year one alone. Replacing teeth with full or partial dentures does not solve the problem, as dentures exert a small amount of chewing pressure on the bone compared to natural teeth. In fact, dentures can accelerate bone loss by wearing away the ridges of bone they are placed on. With every bite or clench of the teeth pressure is placed on the ridge, resulting in its resorption.
Periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, is a serious condition that affects gums and is a leading reason for tooth loss in the United States. With this disease, gums become inflamed resulting in a reddish appearance. The inflammation, known as gingivitis, can turn into periodontal disease with bacteria attacking the healthy tissue in your gums and jawbone without treatment.
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