How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Oral Health and Function

Why Dental Implants Matter

When a tooth is lost, the effects reach beyond the gap you see in the mirror. Chewing becomes less efficient, speech can change, and the jawbone slowly weakens without the support of a root. Over time, these small shifts can create larger oral health concerns.

That’s why our team at Starbody Dental often recommends dental implants. Unlike bridges or dentures, implants replace the entire tooth structure—including the root—helping protect bone health, maintain bite stability, and restore natural function along with your smile’s appearance.

Benefits of Dental Implants for Oral Health

• Prevent shifting: When teeth drift into open spaces, your entire bite alignment can change, triggering jaw pain and abnormal tooth wear. Implants serve as natural placeholders, keeping the arch stable and comfortable.
• Reduce uneven wear: Teeth that no longer meet correctly are prone to chipping, premature enamel loss, and a cycle of new dental problems. Implants restore your bite balance, reducing the risk of cracks or new cavities.
• Support your jawbone: Implants mimic real roots and send healthy pressure into your jaw, which triggers bone maintenance. Without this, bridges and dentures—which simply rest on the gums—can’t prevent bone from shrinking over time.
• Protect adjacent teeth: With implants, there’s no need to grind down healthy teeth for support (as with traditional bridges). This approach preserves as much natural enamel as possible for a stronger, more resilient smile long-term.

Our team uses advanced cone beam imaging and digital scanning at every step, helping us plan implant placements with precision for optimal health and comfort.

Dental Implants Impact on Chewing, Nutrition, and Speech

One of the most immediate frustrations with missing teeth is losing the freedom to eat what you love. Implants restore strong chewing function, so you can enjoy crisp apples, chewy breads, or steak—no worries about slipping dentures or sensitive spots. This matters for your nutrition and for your overall health: diverse foods support better digestion and energy.

Gaps from missing teeth also complicate speech. It’s not unusual for patients to notice a whistle or a lisp, or to struggle with certain words. By restoring natural tongue placement and bite relationships, dental implants help bring back clear, confident speech.

The Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect

Curious about what getting a dental implant is really like? The process is carefully planned to ensure your comfort and long-term success, from the initial consultation and digital scans through implant placement, healing, and the final, natural-looking crown. 

For a detailed look at each step—including how we use digital 3D imaging for precision and comfort—visit our Dental Implants service page. There, you’ll find answers to what to expect, recovery time, and how our Murfreesboro team supports you from start to finish.

Dental Implants vs. Bridges and Dentures

• Bridges: These can be completed more quickly and cost less upfront but require grinding down adjacent teeth and do not stop bone loss beneath the missing tooth.
• Dentures: Removable and inexpensive, but can lead to gum soreness, faster bone shrinkage, and limitations in eating and social confidence.
• Implants: The investment is higher at first, but implants last decades, maintain bone, safeguard neighboring teeth, and perform and feel most like natural teeth.

Interested in a side-by-side breakdown? Our denture and bridge pages go into even further detail about your choices and what to expect.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most healthy adults with enough jawbone qualify for implants. Even if you have mild bone loss, bone grafting can often rebuild support for future placement. If you smoke, have uncontrolled diabetes, or face severe bone loss, extra planning is needed, but implants may still be possible. Age itself is not a barrier; we routinely help active seniors restore confidence and comfort with implants.

At your complimentary implant consultation, we’ll discuss your full medical history, lifestyle, and goals to make sure you’re a safe candidate and can get the best possible result.

What Are The Types of Dental Implants?

• Endosteal implants: The standard and most common type, which is placed directly into jawbone.
• Subperiosteal implants: Used if you can’t support endosteal implants; these sit atop the bone but under the gums.

For patients missing all or most teeth, the innovative All-on-4 method can provide a full-arch restoration supported by just four well-placed implants—often in less time and with fewer surgeries.

What Dental Implants Are Made Of?

Most implants at Starbody Dental are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates beautifully with the bone. For those seeking a metal-free alternative, we offer zirconia implants, which are strong, ceramic-based, and ideal for select patient preferences.

Implant crowns are typically porcelain or ceramic, chosen for their natural look and long-lasting durability.

Recovery and Daily Care

After the implant surgery, mild soreness is expected but usually manageable with over-the-counter medications. Most patients resume routine activities within a few days. Complete fusion of implant to bone (osseointegration) is gradual, taking several months, but you’ll return for periodic checks along the way.

Once restored, you’ll care for your implants just like natural teeth—brushing, flossing, and coming in for regular preventive cleanings and checkups. Excellent hygiene helps implants and adjacent gums stay healthy for years—even a lifetime, for many patients.

Common Patient Questions

Are dental implants painful?

Most patients report the procedure is far easier than expected. We use local anesthetic for maximum comfort, and any mild soreness afterward typically fades in a few days.

What’s the success rate?

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, implants have a 95%+ long-term success rate when placed by experienced providers and well-maintained.

What about smokers?

Smoking can slow healing and raise the risk of complications. Quitting, even temporarily, can dramatically improve your outcome. We’ll discuss your unique situation honestly and help you weigh all factors.

How much does a single implant cost?

In our office, a single implant typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on needs and materials. We’re transparent about costs from the start and offer flexible payment options and membership savings to help make care accessible.

What about All-on-4 implants?

All-on-4 can replace a full arch of teeth with just four implants supporting a fixed denture. It’s often faster and more cost-effective than replacing each tooth individually, while delivering excellent stability and aesthetics.

How do implants affect facial structure?

By preserving jawbone volume, implants prevent the sunken, aging look that can develop after tooth loss. Many patients are surprised by how much healthier and more youthful their face appears after treatment.

Should I do an implant or a root canal/crown?

If your tooth can be saved, root canal therapy with a crown is more conservative and cost-effective. If not, an implant is usually the best long-term investment.

Is going abroad for cheaper implants safe?

While the savings can be appealing, risks include lower-quality materials, limited follow-up, and difficulty correcting issues if problems arise. We believe trust, continuity, and quality at home are worth the investment for something as important as your health.

Schedule Your Smile Transformation in Murfreesboro

Dental implants are more than just a procedure; they're a step toward living, eating, and smiling on your own terms. Whether you’re missing one tooth or ready for a full-arch transformation, our team is here to help you understand your options, answer your questions, and guide you every step of the way.

Take the first step. Request your complimentary dental implant consultation with Starbody Dental in Murfreesboro.