Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?
Whether you lose one or several teeth, it can be a huge obstacle to self-confidence and allow insecurity to set in. Loss of your teeth can also cause some physical barriers such as impeding speech, chewing, and facial mechanics.
While there are many solutions for teeth replacement—dentures, bridges, and partials, dental implants are the most effective. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. These implants are what will support a restorative crown with the help of an abutment that it is seated on.
The reason titanium is used is that it is biocompatible— meaning your body will not reject it. Dental implants are a perfect fit for many patients with one or more missing teeth. However, you do need to be aware of a few requirements you must consider.
Before delving into those requirements though, let’s take a look at the many benefits dental implants offer. Especially how they can change your life through a renewed smile—often in a single day.
Dental Implants: The Preferred Tooth Replacement Option
There have been great advancements in dental implants over the past few decades. In fact, in the past ten years, we have seen the biggest advancements in dental implant technology.
The implants today not only are a prime treatment to replace teeth, but they also achieve the goal exceptionally well. The surgical procedure is completed with far less pain and the teeth look indistinguishable from natural teeth.
There are a lot of reasons why you would want to see if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Many of the reasons you may not even be aware of.
The Closest Thing To Natural Teeth
Most dentists in Houston will concur that dental implants are by far the best developments of dental technology in history. They not only replace missing teeth but also minimize collateral damage to any surrounding healthy teeth.
That is because unlike partial dentures or bridges, they are a 1:1 exact fit. That means no gaps, no crowding neighboring teeth, and most importantly—no scraping of adjacent teeth by metal supports.
The Pain Is Minimal
Naturally, when thinking about a screw being implanted into your jaw it’s not going to sound pleasant. In fact, when you think about it—it sounds downright dreadful. However, it is a minimally painful procedure and requires little downtime.
Most of our patients return to work the following day with only a bit of Tylenol. Dental implant treatment plans also enjoy a very low complication rate as most procedures go quite smoothly. Of course, each patient is different with different circumstances, but 24 hours of downtime is very feasible.
It Can Improve Your Physical And Emotional State
When a patient who is a good candidate for dental implants completes the process, the impact it makes is immediate. Dental implants, besides restoring your smile aesthetically also maintain quality of life and boost your oral health. On the other hand, dentures impact your diet in a restrictive manner, can potentially fall out when speaking, and more. Implants are permanently bonded to your jaw so there are no diet restrictions, no embarrassing accidents and they look 100% natural.
Implants Are Incredibly Durable
Although having your natural teeth is the best possible scenario—implants are a very close second. In fact, dental implants have one key advantage—they don’t decay. That’s right— because they are made out of special composites dental implants can’t and won’t rot like natural teeth. That doesn’t mean you can slack on oral hygiene though. You can still get food particles stuck in between teeth that can lead to gum disease. Furthermore, implants can also stain just like regular teeth, so make sure you floss and brush at least twice daily.
Implants Fortify Your Jawbone
Implants replace the natural root so well that your jawbone doesn’t even know the difference. It bonds with the implant just like with a tooth root, maintaining the root stimulation of the jawbone. Without this fortification—such as with dentures, there would be bone loss which affects the remaining teeth.
Implants Protect Existing Teeth
When you just need a single tooth replaced with a bridge, it is supported with metal brackets. These brackets are attached to the neighboring teeth and put a strain on them.
Over time it can cause shifting of your teeth which is a compounding problem. If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you can avoid all those issues. Dental implants don’t need any support from adjacent teeth since they’re implanted into the jawbone.
Are You A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
You might be! Now that you’re familiar with all the benefits dental implants offer, you need to see if you’re a good candidate for this treatment option. There’s only one surefire way to find out if you truly are a good candidate—an evaluation by Dr. Vela
When you come to see Dr. Vela he will first determine what your expectations are for your new smile. Based on those expectations and a brief exam, you and Dr. Vela will conclude if implants are right for you.
It’s Easy To Find Out If You’re A Good Candidate For Dental Implants
If you want to find out for sure if you’re a good candidate, all you need to do is book a free consultation here at Epic Dental Center. Just contact us and we can schedule you a time to come in and get on your way to restoring your smile!