Your smile deserves the best when it comes to tooth replacement. Living without a full set of teeth can take its toll on your self-esteem and daily life, making eating a meal with family or speaking to your colleagues difficult and even embarrassing. Fortunately, there is a solution that offers more than other traditional solutions (i.e., dental bridges and dentures). Keep reading to discover why it’s in your best interest to have dental implants fill in the gaps and create a healthier, longer-lasting smile.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants serve as the foundation of your new smile. Made from titanium, they look similar to small screws and are placed within your jawbone. This process ensures a stable base that will eventually support a customized restoration (i.e., dental crown, bridge, or denture).
They’re unlike dentures and dental bridges in that they restore both the roots and crowns of missing teeth, making them the only permanent prosthetics on the market. Instead of needing a replacement in less than a decade, dental implants can last 30 years or even a lifetime.
What is the Dental Implant Process Like?
After a consultation with your dentist, they will determine if your oral and overall health are in good enough shape for treatment. Oftentimes, additional procedures are required, such as gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, or bone grafting.
Once you’re cleared for surgery, an implant dentist will position each titanium post along the jawbone so that it remains stable and long-lasting. Protective healing caps are then placed over the tops of your implants before you are sent home to recover.
The osseointegration process will occur during this time, which can take 4-6 months, as your implants will need to fuse with your jawbone. This will create the foundational support your smile needs. Metal abutments are then attached to the posts so that your custom restoration can be easily secured.
The last step involves returning to your dentist’s office to have your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture attached to your dental implants. The natural-looking materials will create beautiful results that allow you to start enjoying your new smile right away.
Are They Worth the Time & Financial Investment?
Yes! Dental implants may be a costlier investment initially, and the process of receiving them may take longer than dentures or dental bridges, but you’ll find it’s worth the time and money because of the following benefits:
- They are known to last 30+ years or more
- They require no food restrictions because of your improved bite force and the way your implants act just like natural teeth
- They offer a more youthful appearance because of how your implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent facial sagging
- They are easy to maintain and do not require special adhesives or products to hold them in place or keep them clean
- Their placement within the jawbone ensures permanence, so you don’t have to worry about your teeth shifting around in your mouth while eating or speaking
Don’t assume you have to settle for less when replacing your missing teeth. Choose dental implants to give you the kind of smile you can enjoy for a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Dhiren Ahir leads the team at Prime Dentistry and is pleased to provide start-to-finish dental implant placement and restoration in-house. Skilled in delivering exceptional results for those suffering from tooth loss, he and his team can rebuild an incomplete smile so that it looks, feels, and acts like new. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and what they can do for you, contact us via our website or by calling (940) 514-0333.
