Living with one or more missing teeth is possible, but an incomplete smile affects your appearance and your ability to eat and speak properly. If you are part of the 120 million people in the United States that are missing one or more teeth, you’ll want to consider implant dentistry to restore your smile.

Even though they are becoming more and more popular, you may not be completely familiar with implants. Thankfully, this guide and your dentist will provide a suitable explanation of implants to help you determine if they are the right option for you.

You cannot walk into your dentist’s office and walk out with dental implants, so one of the first things you need to understand is that implant dentistry is a process.

To get started, your dentist will require a consultation that involves a full exam and x-rays to determine if implants will be right for you. The damaged tooth, if still in your mouth, will need to be extracted completely before placing the implant.

In some instances, you may not have sufficient bone mass in your jaw for an implant to be placed securely. Improving the strength of the jawbone will require a grafting procedure.

After the jaw heals, the metal implant can be surgically placed in the jawbone. Over the next few months, the metal implant will fuse into your jawbone through osseointegration.

Once fusion has occurred, an abutment is placed onto the implant to hold the crown, or artificial tooth, in place.
The entire process can take between 3 to 9 months.

Once you receive your implants, you may feel your smile is indestructible. Unfortunately, this feeling can lead to making poor decisions in regards to your oral health.

Because the implant is artificial, you do not need to worry about a risk of decay or cavities. However, the health of your natural teeth and gum tissue is still important because your mouth anchors your dental implants.

You should continue brushing and flossing your natural teeth and implants. This will prevent food and bacteria from building up on your teeth and gum tissue. In addition, regular checkups by the dentist will still be necessary.

Continue making your oral hygiene a priority so you can protect your natural teeth and your dental implants.

There are many options to consider if you want to replace missing teeth, but implants are the most effective treatment that offers long-term benefits.

After 10 years, dentures will wear down, becoming less effective. Most bridges will also fail after 15 years.

With dental implants, 95 to 98 percent of procedures are successful for an estimated 40 to 50 years. For a restorative solution that will stand the test of time, implants could be a good option for you.

To ensure your implants are successful, your dentist will help you determine if you are a good candidate.

You should not have any issues that affect your oral health, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Without healthy teeth, gums, and bone mass, there is a higher risk of infections, pain, and the failure of your implant.

Dental implants are not for everyone, but with the proper health and overall care, they can be effective solutions for your smile restoration needs.

Living with one or more missing teeth is possible, but a complete, functional, and healthy smile will improve your quality of life. To learn more about implants or other dental services, contact Cherry Hill Dentistry.