Are you embarrassed by a missing tooth or frustrated by how it affects your ability to eat or speak clearly? An estimated 267 million people suffer from tooth loss, but, thankfully, there are many options for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants are a durable and aesthetically pleasing option, and they’re quickly surpassing the popularity of removable dentures. In this blog, Kevin Miller, DDS, and our team here at Dentistry in Paradise in Santa Barbara, California, explain why it’s important to replace missing teeth and highlight the benefits of doing so with dental implants.
Missing teeth are a common aesthetic concern, especially if you’re missing an anterior (front) tooth. You might feel embarrassed to speak or smile in front of others. And missing teeth pose more than just cosmetic concerns; they can:
Replacing missing teeth can address all of these issues — improving the function of your mouth, supporting physical and mental wellness, and helping avoid the complications of shifting teeth.
You can replace missing teeth with dentures, bridges, and implants, but all of these options are not created equally. Only dental implants can prevent jawbone atrophy, a common consequence of missing teeth.
Other reasons to consider dental implants include:
Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth anywhere in your mouth, from your incisors all the way back to your molars. Dental implants can also replace multiple teeth. Implant posts can support bridges and even full rows of teeth.
Whether you’re supporting one tooth, two teeth, or a whole row, dental implants are strong and durable. That’s because Dr. Miller surgically implants the titanium post into your jaw. Titanium is a biocompatible metal, allowing it to fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration.
This also means you won’t ever have to deal with dentures that slide out of place.
Dental implants are designed to be permanent and non-removable. Caring for implants is easy:
Your implant post is permanent, but your crown may require repair or replacement if it becomes damaged. You care for your dental implant crown as you would your natural tooth. Avoid using your teeth as tools and refrain from chewing on non-food items, including ice and pen caps.
Here at Dentistry in Paradise, it’s our mission to help you achieve a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. Dental implants check off all three of those requirements.
Each dental crown is customized to meet your aesthetic needs, and that includes color shade matching. The porcelain mimics the natural translucence of enamel, meaning your new implant blends in flawlessly with the rest of your teeth.
Although the process for receiving dental implants isn’t quick 一 from start to finish the process can take many months and several appointments 一 the end result is worth it.
We start each consultation with an exam, a review of your aesthetic goals and oral health needs, and a discussion of your options. At your first appointment, Dr. Miller reviews your X-rays and takes molds of your mouth 一 both of which are used to shape your treatment plan.
Are you considering dental implants for tooth replacement? Book an appointment at Dentistry in Paradise and learn more about how implants can restore your smile. You can reach us at 805-967-0272 or request an appointment through our online form.
