Are Dental Implants Right for You?

It’s necessary to talk about a topic that many people don’t want to think about, but may one day have to face. There is a high possibility that at one point in your life, especially in your later years, you’ll lose a tooth. While incidences of tooth loss have certainly decreased over the past few decades, there’s still a significant chance you’ll have lost a tooth or two by the time you’re in your 60s. There are many possible causes. Gum disease is probably the most significant. Injury can be the cause as well. Whatever the reason, tooth loss can have far-reaching consequences.

There are a few major ways tooth loss can negatively impact your life. For one, if it’s a tooth that is prominent, there will be a visible gap. This space in your teeth may make you increasingly self-conscious. Depending on how you respond to that, you could begin to withdraw more from life. You may stop smiling in pictures. Perhaps you’ll avoid uncomfortable social situations. But, moving on from the emotional costs when it comes to tooth loss, there are physical ones to consider as well.

Tooth loss can lead to bone degradation and the shifting of your other teeth. A domino effect can begin, albeit gradually, if you lose a tooth and don’t address it. If you lose one tooth, there’s a good chance it won’t be the last. That’s why it’s so important that you don’t just leave it. You’ll want to find a renowned implant dentist in Bergen County to help you address your tooth loss. The best solution for dealing with a missing tooth is a dental implant.

What is a dental implant?

When talking about addressing missing teeth, traditionally the solution that would come to mind was dentures. That’s not to say dentures aren’t still in use. In fact, if your specific situation calls for them, your dentist will recommend them. But, they aren’t the default anymore. This is especially true if you’re missing just one tooth or a couple. Dentures don’t quite make sense there. Dental implants are the ideal solution to replace one or several missing teeth.

The question becomes what makes a dental implant such a great choice? There are several reasons why.

For one thing, they are permanent. You don’t have to rely on troublesome adhesives or deal with taking the implant out at night. They are surgically installed so that they mimic your natural teeth as closely as possible.

Secondly, they are made of titanium. They are very durable and are implanted directly into the jawbone. So, they aren’t going anywhere. The visible portion is made of quality porcelain, among other natural looking materials. A dental implant is visually identical to your existing teeth so there is no jarring difference whether you’re looking in the mirror or someone else is admiring your smile.

Are dental implants right for you, though?

Who can benefit from a dental implant?

The short answer: nearly anyone. Everyone who has a missing tooth can benefit from a dental implant. It’s important to note that successfully installing a dental implant requires generally good health and a jaw bone that can take the titanium roots. It’s true that advanced gum disease or other health conditions can weaken the jaw bone, making it impossible to successfully install the implant. However, for most people, that isn’t disqualifying. Dentists have been able to get around that issue by fortifying the jaw bone to make it strong enough to take the implant. Often, this happens via bone graft. It’s rare that someone wouldn’t be eligible at all.

The bone graft would be the first procedure. If you don’t need a bone graft, you begin at the second step which is the creation of a socket in the jawbone for the dental implant. The titanium roots are then placed in the jaw. About three months will be needed to let the area heal. Following that, the last procedure will be actually placing the prosthetic tooth onto the root.

What other cosmetic procedures can help?

If you’re at the point that you have missing teeth, you may be interested in following up with other cosmetic procedures that can improve the health and appearance of your smile. Professional teeth whitening is very popular and can drastically change your appearance for the better. Straightening procedures like the use of Invisalign are also popular because they don’t require the use of traditional, visible metal braces.

Conclusion

Have you been suffering from tooth loss? Don’t continue feeling self-conscious about it. There can be serious side effects that result from losing a tooth. If you’re looking for a solution with a natural appearance that functions just like your own teeth, dental implants can help. Contact us today. The team at Bogota Dental Center is here to provide you with the professional care you need so you can smile with confidence again.