You may have had a recent accident that has left you with a missing tooth or teeth. Or, you may have recently had a tooth extracted. Whatever the reason is, if you have a missing tooth or teeth, you’ll want to consider the replacement options that are available to you. One excellent option for the replacement of a missing tooth or teeth is dental implants.

When it comes time to have your tooth or teeth replaced, reach out to 24/7 Dental. We’ll set an appointment to take a look at the area and determine what replacement options are available for you.

What Are Dental Implants

Dental implants are dental prosthetics that are installed in the jawbone of a patient. A titanium rod is used to hold a false crown in place via an abutment. Dental implants can be used to replace teeth that have fallen out, been extracted, or been knocked out. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, though. Your dentist will need to examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to see if dental implants are the right replacement option.

Benefits of Dental Implants

There are a lot of benefits to dental implants that make them an ideal tooth or teeth replacement option. Some of the benefits of dental implants include:

Better aesthetic appearance. If you have a missing tooth or teeth (especially in the front of your mouth), you know how frustrating it can be. You may be embarrassed and self-conscious, which leads to you smiling less. This can, in turn, affect your overall mood and confidence. Dental implants improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. They can look very natural and will allow you to smile wide without feeling self-conscious.

• Better aesthetic appearance. If you have a missing tooth or teeth (especially in the front of your mouth), you know how frustrating it can be. You may be embarrassed and self-conscious, which leads to you smiling less. This can, in turn, affect your overall mood and confidence. Dental implants improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile. They can look very natural and will allow you to smile wide without feeling self-conscious.
• Improved bite strength. Having a missing tooth or teeth can make it much more difficult to bite and chew a lot of your favorite foods. Dental implants are strong and will allow you to continue to eat your favorite foods.
• Jawbone integrity. What a lot of people don’t know about having a missing tooth or teeth is the effect it has on your jawbone. Over time, your jawbone density will decrease without having a tooth or teeth. A dental implant helps to maintain the integrity of your jawbone.
• Stop shifting. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, the surrounding, healthy teeth will begin to shift over time. This may lead to crooked teeth, crowding, and/or impacting other teeth. Once this happens, it becomes much more difficult to brush and floss, which can lead to further oral health issues. Dental implants hold the surrounding teeth in place and prevent them from shifting over time.
• Better overall oral health. As dental implants keep your surrounding teeth in place, it makes it much easier to take care of your oral health. If your teeth are crooked or crowded, it can be difficult to brush and floss them properly. With dental implants, you can continue your oral healthcare routine and keep your gums and teeth safe and healthy.

The Dental Implant Process

The process of having dental implants placed is multi-step, and it begins with a trip to the dentist to see if dental implants are an option for your tooth or teeth replacement. Your dentist will take a look at the area and will check the density of your jawbone. If you have a strong enough jawbone and you are a good overall candidate, they will schedule you for an appointment to begin the placement process.

The actual placement process starts with your dentist installing the titanium implant that will hold the false crown in place. Once the implant is placed, time will be given for the implant to fuse with your jawbone. Once the implant has fused to the jawbone, your dentist will place a false crown via an abutment. This crown is designed and fabricated to fit in with your surrounding teeth.

Once the placement procedure is complete, you’ll need to follow aftercare instructions. This is extremely important. Once the area is healed up, continue to brush and floss like normal. Even though the tooth is fake, the surrounding teeth and your gums are still natural. Take good care of them to avoid another dental implant in the future.

Am I a Candidate?

While dental implants are a fantastic teeth replacement option, they aren’t for everyone. There are a few things that may get in the way of you getting dental implants. The first is the cost and insurance coverage. Dental implants are more expensive than dentures and aren’t always covered by insurance. While they are an excellent long-term investment, they will cost more upfront.

Another issue that may get in the way is the integrity of your jawbone. If you don’t have the bone tissue to support your dental implants, you either can’t get them or will need to undergo a bone graft procedure to increase the strength of your jawbone. This will cost extra time and money.

If you don’t need a bone graft, you may expect a single dental implant to cost around $1,500-$2,000. With that said, the cost will depend on the specific dentist, insurance, the area you live in, and other factors. Unlike other replacements, dental implants can last a lifetime. The crowns will eventually need to be swapped out, but the implants themselves don’t need to be replaced. This makes them a good investment.

Speak with your dentist to see what the specific costs of implants are and if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Reach Out Today

If you have any questions about dental implants and/or other teeth replacement options, reach out to 24/7 Dental today. We’d be happy to speak with you about the implant process. We can also set you up with an appointment for a dentist to take a look and let you know what options are available. Give us a call today or send us an email. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you with your tooth or teeth replacement.