Beyond Aesthetics: How Dental Implants Improve Chewing Function and Speech
Tooth loss can have many consequences, ranging from gum recession and bite collapse to shifting teeth and bone loss. Dental implants provide patients who have one or more missing teeth with an effective solution to deter these risks.
Implants are dental prostheses surgically implanted into the jaw. They provide support for artificial teeth, such as bridges, dentures, or crowns. With proper care, implants have a 90 to 95 percent success rate over 10 years, according to a study published in the Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry.
Dental implants can restore cosmetic appearance and provide patients with a boost of confidence. Of course, the placement of dental implants goes beyond aesthetics alone, they also improve chewing function and speech.
A Brief Overview of Dental Implants
Before undergoing dental implant surgery, it’s important to know what to expect. The process begins with an examination. During this exam, your periodontist in Vero Beach FL will inspect the condition of your teeth, gums, and jaw, and develop a tailored treatment plan.
Next comes the placing of the dental implants. A screw-shaped titanium implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. As it heals or “osseointegrates,” the implant will fuse to the bone to create a secure foundation for the abutment prosthesis. Finally, a crown or other artificial appliance is attached to the abutment.
How Dental Implants Improve Chewing
Dental implants are often sought by patients who have undergone recent tooth extractions. One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is their ability to improve chewing function and biting.
Once inserted into the jawbone, dental implants remain securely in place. This differs from alternative tooth replacement methods like bridges and dentures which can shift or slide in the mouth.
In addition, dental implants can help improve a patient’s bite force. Due to the durable materials used to create crowns, these artificial teeth are capable of enduring the same amount of pressure as your natural teeth. This means that patients who have had their natural teeth removed can once again chew and bite effectively and comfortably.
How Dental Implants Improve Speech
Along with improving chewing function, dental implants can also improve speech and overall oral function. When teeth are missing creating gaps in the teeth, air can escape while speaking, resulting in an unwanted lisp or whistling. With dental implants, your full smile is restored, allowing you to clearly articulate your words and avoid lisping or slurring your speech.
Lisps and slurring can also occur with alternative tooth replacement options, especially removable appliances that can slip and move in the mouth. Dental implants can help eliminate speech impediments caused by oral appliances by providing a stable foundation for artificial teeth.
It is also important to consider how dental implants improve the overall facial structure. Various regions of the face, such as the cheeks and lips, play an important role in speech. Having adequate support in the mouth with dental implants allows for the proper positioning of the cheeks and lips, resulting in improved speech.
Other Key Advantages of Dental Implants
Aside from improving chewing function and speech, dental implants can offer other key benefits. They typically offer a better long-term value compared to conventional teeth replacement options. In addition, the appearance of dental implants tends to be much more natural. Other reasons to consider dental implants include:
- Preventing the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss
- Keeping adjacent teeth more stable
- Preserving the health of surrounding gums and bone
- Improving quality of life
- Preventing further tooth loss
- Lowering the risk of tooth decay
- Allowing patients to feel more confident with their restored smile
Schedule an Appointment to Get Started
Dental implants are rapidly changing the way that people eat, speak, and smile after experiencing tooth loss. At Vero Implants & Periodontics, we offer dental implants in Vero Beach that help patients restore their ability to chew and speak confidently. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact our dentist in Vero Beach FL at 772.569.9700.