When you’ve lost a tooth or multiple teeth due to an injury or oral disease, the impacts on your overall well-being can be huge. It can negatively affect your self-esteem, and your ability to chew and speak clearly. The solution to getting a natural-looking smile that you can be proud of may be dental implants, which can give you teeth that look and feel like your very own.
When an artificial tooth root is inserted into your jaw to replace a lost tooth, it’s called a dental implant. Then a replacement tooth, also called a crown, is attached to the post. Dental implants do not require adjacent teeth for support because they are secured in your jaw. To receive dental implants, you must be in good overall health, have sufficient jaw bone to support the implant, and have healthy gums.
Some of the benefits of dental implants include:
- They look and feel like real teeth. It will be difficult for anyone to tell that you have a replacement tooth or teeth.
- Neighboring teeth are not affected by the implant.
- Implants are securely in place, allowing you to comfortably eat and talk. Also, since they are permanent, there is no appliance to misplace or attach with cumbersome glues.
- Dental implants have a high success rate.
Just like your own teeth, dental implants require a proper oral care routine at home and regular visits to your dentist. Brushing and flossing are just as important with implants as with your natural teeth. But the benefits can be great, giving you back a confident and beautiful smile.
