A Guide to Understanding Dental Implants
When you need a way to restore your smile and confidence again, there are many different options available through your dentist in Winnipeg. One of the best ways to replace adult teeth is dental implants. Dental implants are an effective way to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, and they are able to very closely mimic the look and function of normal teeth.
Dental Implant 101
Dental implants are used to replace teeth in a variety of situations, including teeth that were extracted due to decay, baby teeth that never had adult teeth, missing teeth, and teeth that were lost due to trauma. Unlike other types of solutions, dental implants are put into the jaw using metal posts that are surgically attached to the jawbone. This post is topped with a replacement tooth that closely resembles a normal tooth and is designed to blend in with the surrounding teeth.
Who Could Benefit from Dental Implants?
Thanks to their versatility, dental implants are used in a broad range of patient situations. They look and act almost exactly like normal teeth, which makes them a great option for people who want a permanent solution that is easy to maintain and that leaves them feeling like they have a complete smile again. Dental implants do require surgery to place them, so your overall health should be good in order to receive one. Some of the signs that you are a great potential candidate for an implant include:
You have good oral health and hygiene, other than the missing or damaged tooth that is being replaced
There is sufficient jawbone present to support a dental implant, or you are willing to have a bone graft to increase the amount of jawbone
You are able to complete the process of having your dental implant completed, which may take multiple months depending on the additional surgeries required
You are not a smoker
Your dentist will be able to evaluate your current oral health condition, look at your x-rays, and provide you with customized advice about whether or not an implant could be a good solution for your situation. In rare cases, you might have a condition that makes it challenging for you to receive an implant, and your dentist can provide you with alternatives.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most popular solutions to missing teeth for a good reason. Some of the many benefits of receiving a dental implant include:
You will have a permanent replacement for the missing tooth. Because implants are made of strong and durable material that is anchored to your jawbone, they can last the rest of your life, providing that you maintain them properly. This is different than other types of tooth replacements like crowns or bridges.
Dental implants fill in the space between your teeth, which helps ensure that the surrounding teeth will not shift over to fill the gap or start to move and change or bite.
Because dental implants are anchored into your jaw and do an excellent job at replacing adult teeth, you will not experience the bone loss that can occur with dentures. Our teeth help to support the structure of our face. As a result, when multiple teeth are missing and replaced with dentures, the face can start to sag and make you appear older than you are.
Some solutions to missing teeth, like bridges, can impact the surrounding teeth and require you to damage them in order to have a seamless installation. Dental implants do not require you to touch the teeth on either side. As a result, you don’t need to worry about potentially hurting healthy teeth in order to receive a restored smile.
Dental implants are customized to meet your mouth, so they will be designed to seamlessly match the rest of your teeth. The dentist completing your dental implant will customize it to your preferred shape, size, or color.
Dental implants are an awesome way to make your smile complete again. Contact Lumi Dental today to learn more about your options.
