Dental implants look, feel and act just like natural teeth and are a wonderful option for people who are missing teeth. If you are missing teeth, chances are that you don’t confident in your smile and you may feel self-conscious that others will notice the gaps or open spaces in your smile.
People lose teeth for a variety of reasons including tooth decay, gum disease, genetics, accidents, medications and simply the process of aging. When a tooth is lost, bone loss in the jaw naturally occurs, which can lead to all types of problems including issues with eating, speaking and the alignment of the jaw and teeth.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can do wonders in improving your self-esteem when used to replace missing teeth, as there will no longer be visible gaps in your smile. And, because a dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone, the implant provides the bone with the support and stimulation needed to prevent further bone loss in the area. When you fill those gaps in your teeth with dental implants, you will be able to eat and chew food properly and avoid any pain associated with having a misaligned jaw.
The Hidden Effects of Tooth Loss
While a loss of self confidence may feel like the biggest side effect, tooth loss goes much further than just affecting how you look and feel. A lost tooth or several missing teeth can affect the function of your teeth and jaws, health, facial aesthetics and more.
The bone in your jaw needs stimulation in order to preserve its shape and density. The jawbone gets this stimulation from your teeth. When a tooth (or teeth) is missing, the absence of stimulation causes the bone in the area to decrease in width, height and volume. As the bone shrinks, the gum tissue also progressively decreases. Proficiency with chewing and speaking can be diminished as a result and the overall appearance of the face can change.
How Implants Work
A dental implant consists of a small, screw-shaped titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. The surgical procedure used to place the implant is routine and quite minor, usually only requiring local anesthesia. Once the implant has healed completely in three to six months, a custom-made crown is placed on top of the implant that matches the color and shape of your existing natural teeth.
Regardless if you need one tooth replaced or several, there is a dental implant solution for you. Dental implants can also be used to make dentures more effective, comfortable and healthy to wear. If you are in good general health, have healthy gums and have enough bone in the jaw to hold an implant, you are most likely a very good candidate for dental implants.
If you would to find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, contact our Cottonwood office today to schedule an appointment. You can rest assured that you’ll receive personalized treatment that fits perfectly into your lifestyle and budget. We look forward to meeting you soon!
