Maybe you have a missing tooth that you have since given up trying to hide because it's in a conspicuous place in your mouth and it is always the focus of attention when you smile. Since then, you've given up smiling altogether.
You haven't been to the dentist in a while, but you're sure there are easy solutions for the embarrassing hole in your smile.
You may have or haven't heard of dental implants.
Dental implants are the ideal solutions for patients that have one or two missing teeth.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are made up of three parts: the rod, abutment and crow. The titanium rod is inserted into the jaw bone where the missing tooth was located. The abutment attaches the crown to the top of the rod. The crown is often a regular porcelain or resin dental crown that looks like a tooth.
It isn't just patients who are missing one or two teeth who can benefit from dentures. Patients with multiple missing teeth and even those who are missing all their teeth can have their smile renewed with the use of dental implants.
How Dental Implants Improve Your Smile
Fill in gaps caused by missing teeth. As you know, it is embarrassing to have a gap in your smile, especially when it is highly visible. Dental implants not only immediately eliminate that empty space and restore your smile, but they also save you from further dental issues associated with missing teeth such as the nearby teeth shifting and growing crooked.
Serve as anchors for dental bridges. You may have an area in your mouth where there is a grouping of missing, loose or highly decayed teeth. Bridges are anchored on either side by implants to hold the line of crowns in place, whereby giving you a full mouth of teeth that look and feel natural and function properly.
Serve as anchors for dentures. Traditional dentures can be uncomfortable and ill-fitting. They also must be taken out at night for a cleansing soak. Older patients with traditional dentures can't enjoy many of the foods they once enjoyed because there is a risk of being the subject of those embarrassing moments when their dentures pop or slide out of their mouths.
Dentures that are anchored by dental implants won't slip, become loose, fall out or need to be taken out at night to be cleaned. The sturdiness and security of dental implants allows denture patients to have a full set of dentures that look, feel and function like their natural teeth. Implant anchored dentures enable wearers to eat in confidence.
Not only do implant anchored dentures stay in place to enable natural chewing, but the reduction in denture sliding and slipping also result in clearer speech, which is especially important for older patients.
Dental implants have many uses to treat and recover imperfect and uncomfortable smiles. They can do anything from filling in missing teeth to improving one's bite and speech. They make dentures function more effectively and feel more comfortable.
Whether you're ashamed to smile because of missing teeth or you're apprehensive about eating out with friend because your dentures may accidentally come out, implants can be a great option to repair your smile.
Consult with your dentist before deciding about getting dentures as they are not recommended for use by every patient.
