Losing a tooth is very common. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, almost 178 million Americans are affected by it. Missing teeth can negatively affect a person's life in so many ways. It can cause difficulty in eating, and speech impairment and even affect one’s confidence to face other people.
Fortunately, there is a permanent solution to this problem and you will not have to worry about struggling with it in silence. At Smile Family Dentistry, we can help restore your healthy smile with dental implants.
There are many teeth replacement options, and dental implants are the most popular among all of them. It has a high success rate of 95-98 percent. Dental implants are best for people who are looking for a permanent teeth replacement and not just a temporary one. Be it single tooth or multiple tooth loss, dental implants can help bring back your smile. A dental implant is a metal post made of titanium, surgically placed into the jawbone to act as the new tooth root. The abutment and the artificial tooth will be placed on top of it.
Unlike other options that need to be replaced after just a few years of use, dental implants can last a lifetime. The first ever modern dental implant was successfully placed by Dr. Branemark in 1965. The implant was placed on a volunteer named Gösta Larsson when he was 34, and it lasted for 44 years. The lifespan of your dental implants depends on how you take care of them.
The care needed for dental implants is the same as with your natural teeth. Cleaning them at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush together with fluoride paste is enough. You may also use a string of floss when cleaning your dental implants.
You do not have to remove them when it is cleaning time, unlike dentures that still need to be soaked in water with a cleaning agent overnight. The problem with dentures is they can slip out of your mouth while you are talking or eating. Implants can save you from experiencing this.
Without your teeth, the bone in your jaw can deteriorate over time. Replacing them immediately can prevent this from happening. Dental implants are positioned into the jawbone. This can provide the required stimulation for your bone to grow naturally.
Dentures can accelerate the deterioration of the jaw bone because they can often become loose. They also need to be refitted at least every two years to match the bite power that changes over time. With dental implants, you can have a fixed bite power and it does not require frequent replacing.
If you are struggling with missing teeth, it is understandable to want to have a permanent solution for it. Whether you are missing just one, or several of your teeth, dental implants can help. To learn more about dental implants and to see if you are a candidate for them, you can visit us at Smile Family Dentistry, or give us a call at 925-825-1130 today.