How confident are you in your smile? Many of us regularly cite teeth as the one thing that we would most like to change about our appearance. There are various aspects of our smile that can cause us to become self-conscious or even embarrassed about showing it in public. Tooth loss is one of the most common concerns, and an estimated 178 million U.S. adults are estimated to be missing at least one tooth. Not only does tooth loss make it difficult to perform basic tasks like chewing and talking, but gaps in our smile can also look unsightly. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. Dental implants are a long-term, clinically proven method of replacing one or more missing teeth with a virtually identical replacement.
Here’s what you need to know about rebuilding your smile with dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a unique tooth replacement solution that has three main components. Firstly, there is a titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jaw. Titanium is biocompatible, which means it won’t be rejected by your body, and once in place, the bone of your jaw will heal around it. This anchors it permanently into the jaw and provides a stable base that supports the other parts of the implant. The second component is a small connector called an abutment, that links the titanium post to the final element of the design – a bespoke porcelain crown created specifically to replicate your natural teeth.
Dental implants can be used to replace an individual tooth, a few teeth, or entire arches of missing teeth if necessary. Your dental implant provider will be able to advise you on how to proceed based on your individual needs.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
There is a range of benefits to choosing dental implants to rebuild your smile.
The most secure and stable tooth replacement solution available
Dental implants have been shown to offer unrivaled stability when compared to alternative tooth replacements. This is down to them being permanently anchored into the jawbone, which prevents them from moving, slipping, or pulling out in the same way as some bridges and dentures. Patients can enjoy talking, laughing, eating, kissing, and more without worrying about their teeth coming loose.
Most lifelike artificial teeth
Experts agree that dental implants provide the most natural artificial teeth. Not only are the crowns bespoke, created in the shape, size, and color needed to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile, but there are also no visible attachments that give people any indication that they aren’t your natural teeth. This makes them extremely discreet as well as attractive.
Implants protect your facial structure
When you lose teeth, your jawbone no longer receives the stimulation it needs to remain strong and healthy, and over time, this can lead to bone deterioration. The bone becomes weaker and starts to sink and drop inwards, affecting your facial structure and appearance. The titanium posts of dental implants act as an artificial root, stimulating the healthy bone, and preserving your facial structure as well as the attractiveness of your smile.
Enjoy better oral health
Dental implants are also extremely easy to look after and can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth which keeps them in good condition and looking fantastic. They may not be able to decay, but the gums around them can be affected by plaque that builds upon the implants, so it’s important to maintain a robust oral hygiene routine to keep your mouth healthy too.
If you would like to find out more about how you can rebuild your smile with dental implants, don’t hesitate to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable dental team today.