Dental Implants and Your Life

Dental implants have become increasingly popular in recent years and for good reason. Not only do they provide a permanent solution to missing teeth, but they can also significantly impact the overall appearance of your face. 

What are Dental Implants?

First, let’s talk about the basics of dental implants. A dental implant is a replacement for a missing tooth’s root. It is typically made of titanium, a biocompatible material that allows the implant to fuse with your jawbone over time. Once securely in place, a dental crown attaches on top to give the appearance of a natural tooth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

One of the most obvious benefits of dental implants is that they provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, which can shift or slip out of place, dental implants anchor securely in your jawbone. This means that you can eat and speak with confidence without worrying about your teeth moving around in your mouth.

But dental implants offer more than just functional benefits. They can also have a significant impact on the appearance of your face. When you lose a tooth, the surrounding bone can start to deteriorate over time. This can cause your jawbone to shrink and your face to take on a sunken, aged appearance.

Dental implants can help to prevent this bone loss from occurring. Replacing the missing tooth root with a titanium implant stimulates the surrounding bone and encourages growth. This helps maintain the structure of your jawbone and keep your face youthful and healthy.

In addition to preventing bone loss, dental implants can also improve the shape of your face. When you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth can start to shift and move out of place. This can cause your bite to become misaligned, which can lead to a variety of dental problems.

By filling in the gaps with dental implants, your remaining teeth are held in place, and your bite is restored to its natural position. This can help to improve the overall symmetry and balance of your face, giving you a more attractive and youthful appearance.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Of course, it’s important to remember that not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. To be eligible for the procedure, you must have a healthy jawbone and gums and be in good overall health. Your dentist can assess your situation and determine whether dental implants are a good option for you.

Your dentist will perform the procedure in several stages if you are a good candidate for dental implants. First, the implant is placed in your jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over several months. Once the implant fully integrates, your dentist will attach a dental crown to complete the restoration.

While the process may take several months from start to finish, the results are well worth it. Dental implants provide a permanent and natural-looking solution to missing teeth and can significantly impact the appearance of your face.