Did you know your teeth are important for more than just a beautiful smile? Believe it or not, tooth loss is linked to a shorter lifespan. Whether you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, your life expectancy relies on a complete smile. While dentures have been used for generations to treat tooth loss, they won’t put years back on the clock. Instead, dental implants are the only way to turn back time, and here’s why.
Tooth Loss and Life Expectancy
Missing teeth are linked to several health issues, like nutritional deficiencies. If you’ve lost too many teeth, it can be impossible to maintain a balanced diet that can affect your general health. Not to mention, the stress caused by an incomplete smile can affect your wellness, too.
Research has shown people with 5 or more lost teeth before the age of 65 are more likely to have chronic diseases, like diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Each condition is known to affect life expectancy. Although the reasons behind tooth loss differ, the consequences of missing teeth are the same.
You can live to see many more birthdays by replacing your lost teeth with dental implants. The Oral Health Foundation reports people with all their teeth at the age of 74 are more likely to celebrate their 100th birthday. A dental implant is the only method to offer the same benefits as your natural tooth because it replicates both the root and crown. You can extend your life expectancy with dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Traditional bridges, partials, and dentures have been used for generations to replicate lost teeth. Although they can treat different severities of tooth loss, they all have one thing in common. They only recreate the portions of missing teeth above the gum line. As a result, they don’t stop bone loss caused by lost teeth. A dental implant is the only solution to recreate the root and crown.
A titanium post is placed in the jawbone to mimic a root. Your jaw will fuse to the post through a process called osseointegration. Your restoration will have the support of your jawbone to enjoy the closest thing to your real tooth. Not to mention, your dental implant can stay in place for decades with the proper care, so you’ll never have to pay for replacements. Your implant post will keep your jawbone strong and healthy while supporting a custom-made restoration. It will match the appearance of your real teeth to look natural.
It’s never too late to invest in the health benefits of dental implants. Schedule your consultation today to live longer.
About Dr. Mark R. Guillory
Dr. Guillory earned his dental degree from the Meharry Medical College in Nashville. After serving in the United States Navy Dental Corp, he pursued continuing education to offer advanced services, like dental implants. As a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and other professional organizations, he has the qualifications you can trust. If you’re interested in dental implants, contact our office today.