Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

A healthy smile is one of the first things people notice. The condition of your teeth can impact your overall health because your ability to chew helps to determine your food choices. The condition of your teeth also affects your speech and your comfort in talking with others. Your teeth also help preserve the shape of your face as you age, promoting a more youthful appearance. The roots of your teeth keep the surrounding bone intact and can stimulate the regrowth of bone in the upper and lower jaw. By maintaining the integrity of your facial structures, strong, healthy teeth help to safeguard the shape and appearance of the lower third of your face. Healthy, attractive teeth can contribute to a better quality of life.

Many people are faced with tooth loss at some point in their lives. When a tooth is lost, the bone that surrounds the tooth root deteriorates. This is why missing teeth can compromise your eating habits, speech and appearance. Dental implants are a reliable solution for missing teeth. At any age, periodontis, caries (tooth decay) or other diseases can cause tooth loss. Dental implants can be used to replace your missing teeth.

Are you missing teeth due to a sports injury or other small accident? Dental implants can recreate your pre-trauma smile.

Even if you have teeth that never grew, dental implants provide a solid foundation for replacement teeth.

Implants can also be used to support full dentures. Conventional dentures attach to the jaw with a suction effect. Because there is no stimulation of the bone, it may deteriorate over time. As the bone recedes, the dentures may no longer fit properly. Ill-fitting dentures can be painful and cause problems with eating, speaking and the overall structure of your face.

Because traditional methods of tooth replacement including crowns, bridges, partials and dentures have disadvantages in terms of appearance and function, dental implants are considered by many dentists as the preferred method of tooth replacement. Traditional methods of tooth replacement including bridges, partials and dentures do not preserve bone or the shape of your face. There are disadvantages to traditional methods of tooth replacement. In order to replace one missing tooth with a fixed bridge, the adjacent teeth usually must be cut down to secure the bridge in place. A bridge with three crowns is therefore required - one crown to replace the missing tooth and two crowns to cover the cut-down teeth that must act as anchors. In addition to the damage to the adjacent teeth, the bone deteriorates since the missing tooth root is not replaced. Removable partials and dentures may accelerate bone deterioration. As bone disappears, the partial or denture no longer fits which can impair quality of life. In some extreme cases, people with ill-fitting dentures may avoid social contact, have unhealthy diets and suffer from denture sores. Many people with missing teeth qualify for implant treatment. Some of the determining factors are: A sufficient amount of good quality bone, good oral hygiene and good general health.

Your dentist can help you determine if implants are the right choice for you. Every case of missing teeth is unique so make an appointment with your dentist to review the procedure that would be best suited for your individual situation.