That problem tooth in the back of your mouth finally came out completely during a backyard barbecue with the family last weekend. Although you’re embarrassed of the blank spot, the thought of dentures – even if just a partial one – only makes you more self-conscious because you’re not even 40 yet. You with there were an alternative that was long-lasting and affordable and luckily for you, dental implants in Fargo from Cornerstone Dental are the gold-standard to replace your missing tooth. And, you’ll be surprised to know that these have become much less expensive over the past few years. Learn why this solution is the best option in this post.
What Are Dental Implants?
As your trusted dentists in Fargo, Dr. Stacy Goodwill likes to define what dental implants are and what the process for them is before she dives into how they can benefit your smile:
- Implant – The actual implant itself is a titanium post that will be surgically placed in your jaw so it can become the strong foundation for the other two parts of the dental restoration. You’ll undergo simple oral surgery as the first step in the process, and you’ll need about 3-6 months for the post to fuse with your jaw in a process called osseointegration. At that point, the other elements of the implant can be added.
- Abutment – Once the implant post has healed completely and is strong enough, the abutment can be added. This is the connecting piece that links the implant and the tooth-shaped “cap.”
- Crown – This is the part of the replacement that looks just like your existing teeth. The long-lasting, natural-looking porcelain dental crown will be secured to the abutment, restoring your smile to its former glory.
Why Do I Need To Replace My Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth – while embarrassing – aren’t just about looks. Having gaps in your smile from tooth loss can cause the following problems:
- Bone loss will occur when you let missing teeth linger.
- Your natural teeth will shift to fill in the gaps, making them more susceptible to traumatic injury and having them fall out as well.
- When teeth move and spaces exist, food can become lodged in between them, making your mouth ripe for gum disease and further exacerbating existing oral health problems.
- The lower part of your face can become sunken and make you look older than you really are.
- Dentures and partials – while a decent option – can cause recession and loss of jaw tissue since the plates wear on your existing structures with every bite.
- You can experience difficulty chewing and speaking, making everyday activities harder than they need to be.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the optimal solution for tooth loss for many reasons, including:
- They increase your jawbone strength and density.
- They allow for easier speech and chewing – making it easy to enjoy all your favorite foods and to maintain a balanced diet.
- The protect your natural teeth from shifting to fill in gaps.
- They can last a lifetime with proper care.
- They look natural – the only person who’ll know you have a false tooth is you.
- They are a great long-term investment and are remarkably affordable – especially when compared to dentures that need to be replaced every 5 years.
- They stay in place – eliminating awkward wiggling and letting you say goodbye to messy dental pastes and adhesives.
- They are easy to maintain – just brush and floss like you would your original pearly whites.
Now that you know how dental implants can benefit you, schedule your appointment with Cornerstone Dental to restore your winning grin!