People judge others by their smiles, and missing teeth can leave one anxious and lacking confidence in both the social and professional worlds. To make matters worse, missing teeth can also make speaking and eating difficult. The good news is that there is an alternative to going through life with a suboptimal smile. By mimicking natural teeth and being fixed in place within the mouth, dental implants can restore confidence and give a new edge in social circles or even the job search.
What Is a Dental Implant?
To convincingly replace missing teeth, dentists surgically implant titanium posts into the jawbone beneath the gums. This creates a sturdy foundation for the new, natural-looking tooth restoration. Over time, the jawbone fuses with the implant by the natural process of osseointegration, making the post function like a real tooth root. The result is a convincing and well-anchored replacement.
Dental implants require certain conditions like sufficient jawbone density and healthy gums in order to be properly rooted in the mouth. Additionally, they require good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing once placed, though they are not susceptible to tooth decay.
What Can Dental Implants Do for Me?
A full smile does a lot for one’s self-esteem and quality of life. Dental implants are the pinnacle of tooth replacement because they work and look like natural teeth.
Missing teeth can lead to a variety of health concerns like decay and gum disease. One particular concern is that teeth keep the jawbone stimulated. In their absence, the jawbone will begin to atrophy and recede, leading to a sunken mouth and wrinkled lips. Because the pressure of dental implants reinforce the jaw, they keep their owner looking younger by keeping the mouth from sinking.
Restoring one’s smile through dental implants can also restore lost confidence. People might avoid smiling out of being self-conscious about revealing missing teeth. Whereas dentures can cause slurring or mumbling as they move around the mouth during speech, dental implants are anchored fast in place. Walking about with a confident smile can open all sorts of avenues at work and among friends.
Some people must worry about what food they can eat because of missing teeth. They might even have to pass over some of the dishes that used to be their favorites. Because they mimic natural teeth, dental implants can restore the ability to eat anything on the menu.
Dental implants are a convenient long-term solution to missing teeth. Because they function just as natural teeth would, they do not require the same sort of care and hygiene as would dentures. With proper care, they can bring the confidence and freedom of a fully functioning smile for many years.
About the Practice
Bright Smiles Dentistry is headed by Dr. Praveena Muddana and Dr. Sumit Chanana in Brookfield, WI. The staff is happy to bring patients of all ages the care and resources they need to achieve and maintain healthy smiles. If you need more information about dental implants, the practice can be contacted on its website or at (262) 563-9100.