3 Signs You Need Dental Implants

If you recently lost one or more teeth, are considering dental bridges, or wear dentures, your dentist may recommend dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium rod that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Over several months, the implant fuses with your jaw through a process called osseointegration and acts much as a natural tooth root would.

Often dental implants are used to later support a dental crown.

If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about missing teeth, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation with our dentist today.

In the meantime, here are the three signs you may need dental implants.

You’re Considering a Dental Bridge

As the name suggests, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth.

A dental bridge is comprised of a prosthetic tooth anchored by crowns on implants or healthy adjacent teeth. In order to place a dental bridge, your dentist will have to file down the teeth on both sides of the gap. Once this tooth structure is removed, it can never be replaced.

As your dentist, Dr. Habecker prefers implants over bridges because they let you keep as much natural tooth structure as possible.

A tooth implant is also sturdier than a bridge because it’s anchored to your jaw.

This added stability helps you smile, talk, and eat with confidence. Dental implants are also long-lasting, which means you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for decades to come.

You Lost One or More Teeth

The most common reason for a dental implant is a missing tooth. This is either due to a tooth infection, accident, or cosmetic alteration.

After a tooth extraction or an accident that harmed your teeth, your dentist will probably recommend a dental implant to help you maintain good oral health. Without one, your jawbone will start to deteriorate and eventually alter the shape of your face.

The best time to get a tooth implant is immediately after extraction.

Your teeth are held in place by roots and adjacent teeth. This means that when you lose a tooth, nearby teeth are also likely to tilt toward the open space, loosen, and eventually fall out. Fortunately, dental implants support nearby teeth so you can continue smiling with confidence.

You Wear Dentures

Dentures sit on top of the gums and do not prevent jawbone deterioration.

A tooth implant, on the other hand, will exert pressure on your jawbone that it needs to stay healthy. If you don’t get a tooth implant, you will eventually lose jawbone tissue and experience facial collapse. Once the jawbone deteriorates, it’ll become harder to refit dentures and save you from things like pain during chewing.

Unlike dentures, dental implants never slip.

This means that you can eat, talk, and smile as you did before tooth loss. While dentures have to be submerged in water or denture cleaner when they aren’t in your mouth, implants can be cared for like natural teeth.

As a bonus, your Holland dentist offers same-day CEREC crowns to go over your dental implant. This means that your mouth can look natural again, without having to schedule multiple appointments to place the crown.

Learn More: What Are CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns?

Learn More About Dental Implants

Dr. Habecker will be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options, which include dental implants. To schedule an appointment with our Holland dentist, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524 or use our online form.

This blog post has been updated.