Less Long in the Tooth: How Dental Implants Can Make You Look Younger

For as long as humans have recognized their reflections in mirrors, they have fretted about losing teeth. Thankfully, modern dental science allows patients to replace missing teeth with dental implants that look and function just like the real thing. While dental implants allow a patient to smile more confidently and chew all sorts of food thoroughly, they can also help preserve their youthful appearance. Here’s how dental implants can keep you looking young, healthy, and strong.

What Happens to the Mouth After Tooth Loss?

Jawbones require exercise in order to remain sturdy and healthy, and this stimulation normally comes from the teeth working against them during chewing. If a tooth is lost, the part of the jawbone that supported it loses this stimulation, and it will begin to atrophy and recede. This sinking part of the jawbone can even pull neighboring teeth out of alignment, making them easier to injure, harder to clean, and more likely to become infected. This can lead to a pattern of tooth loss and a continuously sinking mouth, which can cause the face to develop a withered appearance.

How Can Dental Implants Keep Me Looking Younger?

Unfortunately, traditional restorations like dentures and dental bridges don’t do anything to help the jaw stay in shape, meaning that patients wearing them will see their jawbones recede over time. The good news is that dental implants can restore this exercise to the jawbone, preventing or reversing bone loss and preserving the patient’s youthful appearance.

A dental implant is surgically placed directly within the jawbone, where it fuses to it through the natural process of osseointegration as it heals. This allows it to stimulate the jaw just like a real tooth as it chews, keeping the jawbone healthy and strong. Dental implants also use high-quality artificial teeth that look just like the real thing, meaning that casual observers won’t even realize that they are there.

With proper care, dental implants can last for decades or even a lifetime, allowing patients to maintain their youthful appearances for many years to come. Consulting with your dentist can help determine if dental implants are a suitable course of treatment for you.

About the Practice

Imagine Smiles operates in Blaine, MN, and it holds patient care as its top priority. Led by Drs. Green, Case, and Ellis, the staff ensures everyone who comes to the office receives high-quality treatment in a clean and friendly environment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry as well as dental implant services. For more information on what dental implants can do for you, contact the office online or dial (763) 269-8650.