Are Dental Implants Right for Your Smile?

Having missing teeth is common. There are numerous reasons people might be missing some or all of their teeth. Having missing teeth can also make life more challenging. Perhaps it’s impacted the person’s speech, or they have a hard time chewing certain foods. It may also be that the person no longer wants to smile because the missing teeth have caused them to lose confidence in their appearance. Fortunately, there exists a fix for missing teeth.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you have a healthy mouth that’s free of cavities and gum disease, there’s nothing stopping you from having dental implants. The great thing about implants is they function just like real teeth. The benefits of implants over other options include:

• significant improvement in appearance
• they’re placement is permanent
• improve oral hygiene
• can correct speech impediments caused by missing teeth

Is it Hard to Care for Implants?

Dental implants are no more difficult to maintain than your regular teeth. You’ll still need to brush twice daily and floss. You’ll also need to visit your dentist for cleanings, as often as your dentist recommends.

How Do Implants Fuse to the Gums?

Implants are actually fused to the jawbone. The process of fusing the implants can take weeks to months, as healing needs to occur and the fusing needs to complete.

First, you’ll have a surgery to place a titanium rod in the jawbone, which acts just as a tooth root would. When the rod has completed fusing to the jawbone, then the teeth can be added to the rod for a natural looking set of teeth.

What Is the Surgery Like?

The surgery is much like a regular dentist office visit. You’ll be given a local anesthetic during the placement procedure. The whole procedure of inserting the implants can be completed in one visit. Once the rod is placed, you’ll be sent home and directed to take ibuprofen if the site should ache. There is no open wound, and the discomfort should be minor.

When the implant has fused, then you’ll return to the office to have your new teeth placed. Your teeth can last over 40 years as long as you take care of them.

If you’re still wondering if dental implants are right for your smile, it depends on how often you like to smile. Everyone looks better when they smile. The majority of people have no regrets after choosing dental implant surgery, and it’s likely you won’t either.