Benefits of Dental Implants that Go Beyond Cosmetic Dentistry

For the most part, cosmetic dentistry is the field that is concerned with whitening, polishing and straightening teeth to improve their aesthetic appeal. This part of the dental sector does great work improving people’s confidence and restoring their smiles. Dental implant surgery is sometimes (wrongly) assumed to be an extreme form of these cosmetic treatments. This myth that dental implants are only for people in search of the perfect Hollywood smile needs busting once and for all!  Patients who choose to have implant surgery usually do so to restore functionality to their mouth. They want to be able to chew and talk normally – implants and crowns enable them to do so.

What is an Implant?

An implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium. The new ‘root’ is implanted beneath the gum during a minor surgical procedure and over time it fuses to the jawbone – providing a strong anchor to which artificial teeth can be attached.

The Ability to Eat and Speak

Restoring missing teeth following implant treatment enables patients to use their mouths as they did before they lost their teeth. When it comes to eating, foods like crusty sourdough bread and raw apples may have been off the menu if you were missing teeth or using dentures. Once the implants have healed and the artificial teeth have been set in place, you will be able to eat a full range of foodstuffs once more. 

Missing teeth can also affect speech. Some sounds are dependent on being able to tap the tongue on the teeth. Gaps can also cause unwanted whistling sounds. Restoring teeth by way of implant surgery will fix these problems.

Improved Quality of Life

Patients who have had implant treatment at Norfolk Dental Specialists often report a significant improvement in their quality of life. A significant part of social living revolves around dining and talking. If these two functions are impaired, then it is possible for a person to start to withdraw from social engagement. Restoring teeth can also restore confidence. The benefits of dental implants go beyond cosmetic dentistry. For every celebrity smile treatment, there are a thousand personal stories of oral troubles overcome by expert dentistry.

Read more about the transformative experience of implant treatment on the patient stories page of our website. 

If you would like to know more about dental implants, download our pdf: ‘All You Need to Know About Dental Implants’ from the banner at the bottom of your screen.