Missing teeth could be a real and quite literal pain. For one, chewing becomes challenging, speaking can be muffled, and don’t forget the impact on your smile.
Adults generally have a total number of 32 permanent teeth. However, half of Americans aged 20-64 have lost at least one permanent tooth. Missing teeth aren’t just an issue for seniors—they may affect people of all ages, but dental implants could offer hope.
If you want to know the benefits and process of dental implants, learning about them is a great place to start.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants function as replacement tooth roots, providing a stable base for your new pearly whites. They’re surgically placed in your jawbone to act as anchors for replacement teeth. Your new teeth, supported by implants, can take the form of crowns, bridges, or even dentures. Implants are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, which fuse with your jawbone over time.
What Could Dental Implants Do For You?
The numerous benefits of dental implants are what draw many people to have them. They can significantly enhance your life, but to truly experience the full potential of implants, proper placement is key. Reputable dental specialists understand this and prioritize flawless surgery to ensure you reap all the advantages.
Curious to know what a successful dental implant placement could do for you? Here’s what you can expect:
Improved chewing and nutritional health
Missing teeth can have a significant impact beyond just the aesthetics of your smile; they can affect your ability to chew food efficiently, potentially leading you to eat slower or consume less overall. This can contribute to nutrient deficiencies, impacting your overall health. A study even suggests that older adults, who are more prone to tooth loss, have a 21% risk of malnutrition than those with all or most of their teeth.
Dental implants may prevent that. With all the necessary teeth for chewing food, you can enjoy eating as many healthy meals as you need.
Enhanced speech and pronunciation
Slurred speech and whistling are common problems with missing teeth. But if you undergo dental implant treatment, you’ll gain artificial teeth that may restore your mouth’s proper positioning.
Increased confidence and self-esteem
Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth both in appearance and feeling, which lets you smile more confidently.
Durability and longevity compared to other options
Dental implants provide a longer-lasting solution for missing teeth compared to other options. It’s thanks to their unique two-part design—a screw-in root and a tough tooth on top.
Better oral health
The implant screw stimulates your jawbone, preventing bone loss. It also maintains your jaw’s strength, facial structure, and overall oral health.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Even if you already understand the benefits and process of dental implants, you should know that they aren’t ideal for everyone with missing teeth. First, you must see if they’re a good fit for you. Dentists consider a few factors before suggesting a dental implant procedure for their patients.
- Overall Health: Being healthy overall helps with any surgery, including dental implants.
- Jawbone Density: Your jawbone needs to be strong enough to support the implant. Your missing teeth may weaken your jawbone. A bone graft could rebuild it before you get your implants.
- Gum Health: Healthy gums are required for a successful implant surgery. If you have gum disease, your dentist has to address it first.
- Commitment to Oral Hygiene: Do you brush your teeth daily? Regular tooth brushing and checkups with the dentist are key to keeping your dental implants healthy and in place.
Don’t worry if dental implants aren’t right for you. Your dentist may still provide you with alternatives, such as dental bridges. Your health and safety are still the top priority, after all.
The Process of Getting Dental Implants
Getting dental implants requires multiple visits, but the end result is usually well worth the effort. There are stages you have to go through to ensure you’re ready for your replacement tooth.
Consultation
Your consultation is an opportunity to share your concerns and goals with your dentist so you can work together to create a custom treatment plan. X-rays and scans will also be taken to assess your jawbone health and suitability for implants.
Surgery
Under anesthesia, the implant post (your new artificial tooth root) will be surgically placed into your jawbone. Depending on your situation, you may need one or multiple implants.
Healing Period
Your jawbone needs some time to heal and fuse with the implant after your dental surgery. This process, called osseointegration, usually takes a few months. You’ll be fitted with temporary restorations so you can still smile and eat comfortably while your jawbone does its thing.
Abutment Placement
After your jawbone heals and strengthens, a small connector piece known as an abutment will be attached to the implant. It’ll provide a sturdy base for your custom-made crown.
Crown Placement
Lastly, your custom-made artificial tooth, or crown, is securely attached to the abutment. This completes the dental implant process, giving you a natural-looking, fully functional replacement tooth that you can use with confidence.
Recovery and Aftercare
Following your implant surgery, your dentist will provide you with specific post-operative instructions. These might include pain management tips, dietary recommendations, and proper care for the implant site.
Based on studies, dental implants have a 10-year survival rate of 96.4%. However, the long-term success of your implants depends on proper dental hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits are necessary to keep them in excellent condition.
Conclusion
Dental implants can be a transformative solution for those with missing teeth. They not only restore your dazzling smile but also improve your overall health by enabling comfortable chewing. But before you decide to get them, remember to consult a trusted and licensed dentist experienced in dental implant surgery. You deserve a properly placed set of teeth that could bring you the most advantages in life.
