Candidates for Dental Implants

Whether you had an accident that knocked a tooth out, or you’ve recently needed to have a tooth pulled due to poor oral hygiene, it’s important to replace that tooth as soon as possible. A missing tooth can lead to a host of oral health issues, and is generally unappealing to look at. If you are considering a tooth replacement, there will be a few options to choose from. One popular option is a dental implant.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are false teeth that involve the placement of titanium rods in the jawbones of patients to support the teeth via abutments. Occasionally, frames are used instead of rods to hold the false teeth in place. While patients can have multiple teeth replaced with implants, many patients will have a single implant placed to replace a single tooth.

Dental Bridges

A popular alternative to dental implants are dental bridges. A dental bridge is a dental appliance that bridges the gap where a tooth or teeth are missing. While bridges can be used instead of implants, implants are still preferred due to their longevity and durability.

Do I Need Implants?

While you may not specifically need implants, it is extremely important to have some form of tooth replacement when a tooth or multiple teeth are missing. A gap between the teeth can lead to discomfort, issues with the bite, low self-esteem and oral health issues. Having a gap where a tooth or teeth are missing can make biting, chewing and even speaking more difficult. The gap can also lead to a person smiling less, which can affect their mood and confidence.

Many people don’t realize the importance of the root of a tooth for maintaining the integrity of the jawbone. Without a tooth, the bone tissue in the jaw will begin to deteriorate. Implants help to stop the deterioration of the jawbone.

Teeth replacements also help to keep the surrounding teeth in place. If a tooth or teeth are missing, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift—filling in the gap where the tooth or teeth are missing. This can lead to damage to surrounding teeth, crowding, an unappealing smile and even oral health issues. Teeth crowding and displacement can make it more difficult to floss and brush properly—making it easier for bacteria to form and spread. This bacteria can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

The sooner a tooth or teeth are replaced, the lower the chances of migration, bone loss, gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health issues.

Speak with Your Cosmetic Dentist

While some general dentists are able to perform implant procedures, others aren’t. Speak with your general dentist or cosmetic dentist who is able to perform the implant procedure to see if a dental implant is the right replacement option for you. If it is not, you can speak with your dentist about the placement of a dental bridge instead.

By replacing a missing tooth or teeth, you’ll improve not only your smile but also your overall oral health.

Wake Dental Care (located in Cary, NC) is the areas leader in dental implant dentistry. Contact our office today to setup an appointment and see if dental implants are the right fit for you.

If you're interested in learning more about dental implants in general, here's some reading on the differences between immediate and delayed implants.