Did you know that athletes and others who participate in close-contact activities may be significantly more likely to lose their teeth due to physical trauma? A single blow to the face that lands with enough force can knock out one or more of them, and the resulting gaps in your grin can detract from your daily quality of life.
Many experts recommend dental implants for athletes who have suffered tooth loss because of the unique advantages they provide. Continue reading to learn about 3 ways this treatment can be an ideal way to rebuild your smile!
Benefit #1: Resilient Results
Dental implants differ from other solutions for tooth loss, such as dentures or dental bridges, because they’re the only option that involves surgically placing support posts directly into your jaw. It can take several months to heal because your mouth must produce enough new bone to fuse with these rods, making them a more permanent part of your mouth. Then, once you’ve recovered, these can be used to anchor customized replacement teeth that are unlikely to become destabilized or dislodged.
That means your restorations are less likely to fall out of your mouth in the middle of a training session, match, or game, so you can free your mind to focus on your more immediately goals.
Benefit #2: Preserve Your Jawbone
Many athletes don’t realize that their jaw starts thinning after permanent teeth are lost because there are fewer roots to stimulate it when they bite down, which helps it remain active and healthy. As a result, it starts to thin, and the muscles and ligaments attached to the foundation of your mouth grow slack. This can lead to changes in your facial structure, such as a protruding chin or additional facial wrinkles, as well as increase the risk of additional tooth loss.
Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that are embedded into your jawbone to function like a root to support it. You’ll be able to preserve a younger-looking smile that boosts your confidence, which can contribute to major wins on the field, court, or mat.
Benefit #3: Improve Your Nutrition
This treatment option also is the only one that can restore up to 80% or more of your original chewing power, meaning that you can enjoy a wider variety of wholesome foods once you’ve fully recovered.
Your improved bite force allows you to enjoy a variety of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and proteins that might otherwise be difficult to chew thoroughly enough for your body to digest and absorb them effectively. As a result, your new teeth can significantly enhance your diet so you can function at your peak performance levels.
If you’re an athlete who has lost one or more teeth but are unsure if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you can learn more by scheduling an appointment with your dentist!
About the Practice
Patients at Advanced Dental Concepts benefit from a team of providers who are passionate about helping people build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. Dr. Hayes, Dr. Mousa, and Dr. Lent collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including dental implants, to meet your unique needs. They partner with local oral surgeons for accurate implant placement, then provide lifelike restorations made to look and feel as realistic as possible. You can request an appointment on the website or call (219) 663-6878.