Are Dental Implants right for me?
Modern dentistry is incredible. Today tooth decay, gum disease, poor oral hygiene or injuries that once would have left someone with a gap in their smile, can now be treated to look totally natural with dental implant treatments. Friends and family won’t even notice that there has been any tooth loss. Dental implants have the feel and function of natural teeth and are the gold standard for tooth replacement.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants consist of a titanium artificial tooth root surgically placed in the jaw bone that creates a permanent foundation for a replacement tooth. Bone growth called osseointegration fuses the tooth root to the jaw. An implant is different from other tooth replacement options because it replaces both the tooth and the root. Dental implant surgery can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth and a whole arch.
Why are dental implants important?
Aesthetically dental implants are fantastic, however, they also play a crucial role in the overall function of your mouth. Dental implants support a healthy bite, keeping each tooth properly in place while supporting a healthy jawbone and preventing bone loss.
When a lost tooth is not replaced, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate. This happens because the lost tooth is no longer stimulating the jaw bone through chewing. It is common for the neighboring teeth to also fall out. A domino effect of negative changes in the mouth begins.
One small shift will turn into another and another and soon the moving teeth will create changes in your bite that can cause many more health problems inside your mouth and your whole body.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Implants can boost your overall self-esteem because they look and function like real teeth. They can help your confidence, are convenient and help support your overall oral health. Being able to eat comfortably at social gatherings, smile and laugh without holding back is important and will have a great impact on your life as a whole.
Implants assist in supporting speech and chewing abilities. With dental implants, there is no need to remove them at night. Brushing, flossing, eating and drinking is equal to natural teeth. They have very high success rates, and if properly cared for can last a lifetime..
Dental implants may be right for you if you:
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Have a jawbone that’s reached full growth
- Have adequate bone to secure the implants
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing
- Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
- Don’t smoke tobacco
If you think a dental implant may be right for you, contact John M. Purdy DDS in El Paso, Texas on Mesa Street for a consultation. Dr Purdy can help you decide if a dental implant is necessary and ultimately come up with the right treatment plan uniquely for you. We also provide implant restoration.
We look forward to helping bring back your smile.
