Tooth extractions can help contain the damage caused by severe mouth injuries, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. The trouble is, they leave a hole (or holes) in the mouth that can change the structure of your mouth. Now, however, you no longer need to wonder what a full set of healthy teeth would feel like. Dental implants have redefined restorative dentistry and allow patients to talk, eat, and smile just as they did before—and perhaps even better.
Equally important, implants feel like real, healthy teeth. You’ll quickly adjust to having them in place, and unlike some dental solutions, implants are both comfortable and pain-free. They’re also designed to be strong and stable. You’ll never need to worry about an implant becoming loose or falling out. Instead, you can count on it remaining firmly in place and functioning exactly like the rest of your teeth.
Dental implants are the only restorative solution that help maintain your youthful appearance. By filling in holes left by tooth extractions, they keep facial tissues in place for a smoother, softer canvas. In short, implants help keep you from looking older than your years.
Implants can alleviate these fears and provide the confidence you need in professional and social situations. They’re fixed solutions, meaning they’re not removed and put back in place the way dentures are. As mentioned earlier, implants function much like natural teeth and, in time, you’ll forget you have them.
A weak jawbone can cause a number of concerns, including additional tooth loss and changes to your facial shape. Implants, which bond directly to the jawbone, can help prevent this deterioration. Other solutions commonly sit on top of the gums and provide no protection for the bone underneath. But implants help stabilize and support the jawbone, thereby improving your overall oral health.
Implants can also protect adjacent teeth. Extractions can safeguard your oral health. But they can also pose consequences for the rest of your mouth. When a gap is present, the teeth directly beside it will shift in place to cover as much room as possible. Shifting can lead to swollen gums, jaw pain, and further tooth failure. Implants put a halt to these negative consequences and keep teeth in their natural spots.
An implant is easy to care for, can closely mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth, and does not require any lifestyle changes. And with the proper maintenance, you can likely enjoy this solution for the rest of your life. Learn more by contacting the staff of Dr. Curtis Couch, DDS, today.
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Dental Implants
1. They Closely Resemble Natural Teeth
Many patients assume their implant will be immediately visible to the outside world. But in truth, implants blend perfectly in the mouth and can be shaded to match the color of your natural teeth. This results in a seamless appearance—nobody will know you’ve had dental work unless you choose to tell them.Equally important, implants feel like real, healthy teeth. You’ll quickly adjust to having them in place, and unlike some dental solutions, implants are both comfortable and pain-free. They’re also designed to be strong and stable. You’ll never need to worry about an implant becoming loose or falling out. Instead, you can count on it remaining firmly in place and functioning exactly like the rest of your teeth.
2. They Help You Retain a Youthful Appearance
Your teeth play a key role in the youthful shape of your face. Without them, facial tissue can sink and cause hollows in the cheeks as well as wrinkles around the lips. The lips can even begin to fold in and impact the way you talk and smile.Dental implants are the only restorative solution that help maintain your youthful appearance. By filling in holes left by tooth extractions, they keep facial tissues in place for a smoother, softer canvas. In short, implants help keep you from looking older than your years.
3. They Relive Social Fears
Solutions like dentures can be intimidating simply because of the way they’re portrayed in popular culture. In movies, for instance, people routinely lose their dentures while eating or drinking and are then taunted by others. These circumstances are exaggerated for entertainment purposes, but the effect is real: people fear they will lose their dentures at the most inopportune times.
Implants can alleviate these fears and provide the confidence you need in professional and social situations. They’re fixed solutions, meaning they’re not removed and put back in place the way dentures are. As mentioned earlier, implants function much like natural teeth and, in time, you’ll forget you have them.
4. They Stabilize Your Jawbone
Your jawbone is not an independent part of the body. Instead, it heavily relies on teeth to remain intact. But as teeth are extracted, the jawbone shrinks. Missing one or two may not lead to significant changes, but having several teeth pulled can cause the bone underneath to demineralize and deteriorate.
A weak jawbone can cause a number of concerns, including additional tooth loss and changes to your facial shape. Implants, which bond directly to the jawbone, can help prevent this deterioration. Other solutions commonly sit on top of the gums and provide no protection for the bone underneath. But implants help stabilize and support the jawbone, thereby improving your overall oral health.
5. They Are Easy to Clean and Maintain
As you begin thinking more about implants, you might be wondering how difficult they are to maintain. We have good news: they’re incredibly easy to care for. You can simply continue with your regular oral hygiene habits—which should include twice-daily brushing and flossing—and regularly visit our office for check-ups and professional cleanings.
During that professional cleaning we just mentioned, your hygienist will likely use special scalers to clean the implant and even surrounding teeth. You may also need to schedule regular cleanings more frequently than before you received your implants.
We’ll Be By Your Side
Don’t worry, we can review this information in greater detail during your consultation. We’ll craft a treatment plan that works with your schedule and unique needs. Do keep in mind, however, that with sound oral hygiene practices, your implants can last a lifetime.
6. They Don’t Require a Diet Change
Some oral appliances require you to alter your diet. We understand this can be a struggle, especially if your diet needs to change dramatically. Fortunately, implants make it possible to continue enjoying the foods you’ve always loved (but remember that sweets should be enjoyed in moderation). You can bite, chew, and swallow in the same manner as your natural teeth allow you to do.
7. They’re Impervious to Cavities
Although dental implants look and feel like any other tooth, they’re not composed the same way. Most implants are made of titanium alloy, a material that is highly biocompatible and impervious to plaque. This means your implant will never develop a cavity.
You can, however, develop gum disease around the implant if you skip on proper oral hygiene. This is why it’s so important to continue seeing our staff after your implant is in place. We’ll help safeguard your health and provide you with helpful tips to follow at home. We may even recommend beneficial products you can use.
8. They Provide Dependable Results
Implants enjoy a very high rate of patient success. They last a lifetime in nearly every case and are susceptible to damage only in instances of:
- Chronic smoking
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Improper dental hygiene
Implants can also protect adjacent teeth. Extractions can safeguard your oral health. But they can also pose consequences for the rest of your mouth. When a gap is present, the teeth directly beside it will shift in place to cover as much room as possible. Shifting can lead to swollen gums, jaw pain, and further tooth failure. Implants put a halt to these negative consequences and keep teeth in their natural spots.
An implant is easy to care for, can closely mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth, and does not require any lifestyle changes. And with the proper maintenance, you can likely enjoy this solution for the rest of your life. Learn more by contacting the staff of Dr. Curtis Couch, DDS, today.