Smiles are meant to last a lifetime, but there are plenty of ways you could end up losing a tooth or several teeth. While there are a few different choices to consider to fill the gap, there’s only one kind of treatment that will replace the entire tooth and not just the normally visible parts: dental implants. Implants are inserted directly into your jaw and fuse with the bone, letting them act as new tooth roots. This will give your new crown, bridge, or dentures added stability and strength, and your jaw can continue to enjoy the stimulation from chewing that it needs to stay healthy. If you have empty space in your mouth that needs to be filled, contact Rio Dental & Orthodontics today to learn more about dental implants and whether they’re right for you.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Maintaining a Strong Jawbone: The jaw will start to degenerate once a tooth is loss; this can negatively affect your facial structure, and your remaining teeth could start to drift. Dental implants give the jaw the stimulation it needs to avoid resorption.- A Smile That Looks, Feels, and Functions Naturally: Implants feel like they’re a part of your jaw, and they’ll give your prosthetic teeth the strength to eat anything you want. Combine them with a restoration made to match the rest of your smile, and implants can be the next best thing to getting your natural teeth back.
- No Slipping: With traditional dentures, you might have to worry about your new teeth slipping out of place. This won’t be a problem if they’re anchored to dental implants.
- Longevity: With regular checkups and normal oral hygiene habits (namely brushing and flossing), dental implants can be expected to last for a very long time – in some cases, even the rest of your life.
Indications for Dental Implants
Once we’ve decided that you’re a candidate for dental implants, we’ll need to decide how many posts to place as well as the type of false teeth you’ll receive.
Unsurprisingly, the answer depends largely on how many teeth are missing.
Missing a Single Tooth
You might lose a tooth after biting down on a peppermint or another hard object; you might also need to have a tooth extracted if it’s severely infected. To fill in the gap, an implant post can be placed surgically. Once your mouth has fully healed after the procedure, you’ll receive a dazzling dental crown.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Having three or four missing teeth in a row doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need three or four implants. In fact, in many cases several teeth can be replaced at once with two implants and a bridge. Dental bridges normally use natural teeth as support, but you can preserve your enamel by getting implants instead.
Missing All Teeth
Dentures are normally reliable, but they have been known to slip at inconvenient or embarrassing times. Four to six implants can hold a denture firmly in place, letting you eat what you want and talk clearly without needing to worry about unnecessary movements.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
A bridge that uses two implants will not have the same cost as dentures that use six implants. Also, some patients will need to take the cost of other procedures such as bone grafting into account. We can help you create an estimate that accounts for these variables. No matter what the final price ends up being, it’s important to remember that implants are an investment in a smile that can last for decades.
Dental Implant FAQs
Do you still have questions about dental implants in Irving? Replacing missing teeth is an important step to take in order to restore your oral health, and we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for you. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive about dental implants below.
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
Each part of your mouth works together to help maintain your oral health and make daily tasks such as eating and speaking easier. When a tooth goes missing, it can have a drastic impact on the health of your other teeth, jawbone, and even your gums. Leaving that gap in your smile can increase your risk of harmful oral bacteria and plaque buildup as well as orthodontic issues. These occur because your surrounding teeth will gradually move to fill that gap, which can cause bite misalignment. Plus, the extra space in your mouth can make it harder to clear away plaque and tartar, providing it with a safe hideout.
When you replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you’ll be able to provide stimulation to your jawbone, fill the gap in your smile, and easily be able to brush and floss. All of these are vital parts of maintaining the health of your existing teeth and gums.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Fortunately, dental implant surgery isn’t painful at all, because before the procedure begins, we will administer a local anesthetic that will completely numb the area. If you’re nervous, we also offer sedation dentistry to help you feel relaxed and comfortable beforehand.
How long do dental implants last?
With the proper maintenance and care, your dental implants can last for as long as 35 years. Many studies have predicted that some implants can even last a lifetime with regular brushing, flossing, checkups, and a nutritious diet. After investing so much of your time and funds into improving your smile, it’s important to keep on top of routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist in Irving. By doing this, our team will be able to spot and take care of any small problems before they have a chance to become bigger down the road.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants boast an impressive 98 percent success rate. However, studies have shown that there are certain habits and factors that can cause dental implant failure. After your surgery, you’ll go through a healing process where your dental implants will fuse with your jawbone, through a process called osseointegration. This is a vital part of the future success of your implants, and without the right care, they could fail to integrate with the bone. The most common cause of this is poor dental hygiene that results in an infection.
After your surgery, your dentist in Irving will discuss aftercare instructions with you to help you avoid any complications or failure down the road. Just be sure to follow these and continue visiting our office for follow-ups and regular checkups and cleanings, and we’ll be able to make sure that your implants remain healthy and strong.
