Discover How Dental Implants Can Restore Your Confidence and Oral Health

Dental implants have turned the world of dentistry upside down offering a permanent method of tooth replacement for any number of missing teeth – and the best thing of all? – they look and function just like your natural teeth. But beyond their functional benefits, were you aware of their ability to restore confidence and oral health? This article sheds light on how dental implants transform your smile and boost your self-esteem.

Understanding dental implants

A dental implant is a screw-like device made from titanium and surgically placed into the jaw at the site of the missing tooth where it acts as a replacement tooth root. Once placed, patients need to wait a few weeks for the magic to happen as the implant screw fuses with the surrounding bone in a process k own as osseointegration. Once this has occurred successfully, the implant becomes a permanent feature in the mouth and can support replacement teeth (crowns) which mimic your natural teeth and restore your smile.

How dental implants restore oral health

Implants restore oral health in several ways:

1. Prevention of bone loss: When a tooth is extracted or falls out naturally, the body resorbs up to 50% of the original width of the alveolar bone within a year with much of that loss occurring in the first 3 months which is why it’s so important to replace a missing tooth with an implant as soon as you possibly can. The bone deteriorates through lack of stimulation due to the missing tooth and over time the facial structures may start to droop or sag, making a person look older than their years. Dental implants stimulate the bone to prevent further resorption and help maintain the facial shape.
2. Improved oral hygiene: Dental implants are a stand-alone procedure and unlike dental bridges do not require adjacent teeth to be modified. This preservation of the natural tooth structure makes it easier to clean the teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
3. Enhanced functionality - Dental implants also restore a person’s full chewing power allowing them to eat their favorite foods without restriction or discomfort. This means you can eat more nutritious foods and also improve your overall health.

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants also prevents the teeth on either side of the gap from shifting position and becoming misaligned, potentially compromising the bite and necessitating orthodontic treatment to straighten them.

Boosting self-confidence

1. Natural appearance: Dental implants are designed to look like your natural teeth and are carefully shaped and color-matched to blend flawlessly into your smile. Their natural appearance will give your confidence a lift and enhance your overall facial aesthetics.
2. Durable and reliable: Implants can easily last a decade and often far longer when cared for properly and eliminate the embarrassment of dentures that slip and slide and often need regular replacement.
3. Improved speech: Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can cause you to slur your words. Because dental implants are anchored firmly into the jaw they provide the stability needed for clear pronunciation, thus reducing the lack of confidence in social settings.

What’s involved in the dental implant procedure?

The dental implant procedure is lengthy since it consists of multiple steps with time between stages to allow the mouth to heal. From start to completion, the procedure can take between six months to nine months, although most people agree the wait is well worth it. In some cases, dental implants can be fitted immediately following tooth extraction, but this is something you will need to discuss with your dentist.

Here's what you can expect during the dental implant procedure:

Consultation and planning – If you’re considering a dental implant you will need to attend a comprehensive consultation to ensure that you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure. This typically entails a review of your medical history and X-rays or scans to determine your bone density. This evaluation also helps the dental team create a personalized treatment plan.

Implant placement:  The titanium post is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia during a short bout of surgery. It’s then left until osseointegration occurs. In some cases, patients may be fitted with a temporary crown to conceal the tooth gap.

Abutment and crown placement: Once the implant has stabilized and fused with the bone, further small surgery is sometimes required to attach an abutment to the post which holds the replacement tooth in place.

After a short period of healing, it’s finally time to top the implant with a dental crown which is customized in size, shape, and color to blend with your remaining natural teeth.

Caring for your dental implants

Because dental implants look and function like natural teeth, they’re cared for in the same way by brushing twice daily and flossing once, combined with regular check-ups with your dentist for professional cleaning.

To ensure longevity it’s best to stop smoking for good ( or at least until the implant procedure has reached completion) and to refrain from habits like nail biting and using your teeth to tear open bags or remove bottle tops which could damage your implants.

Ready to get back your confidence and your smile?

If you’re considering dental implants, we invite you to schedule a free implant consultation with our friendly and experienced dental team. We’ll check out your oral health, discuss your goals and determine the best course of action to help you achieve the healthy smile you deserve.

Don’t delay. Call Chesterfield Dentistry today at 314-936-3621 or use our online booking system.