Are you embarrassed to smile and find yourself covering your missing teeth when you laugh? Missing teeth can impact your social and professional life and affect your long-term health. Dental implants are a permanent alternative to dentures that could improve your life.
If you’re considering dental implants, before and after your surgery, there are a few steps you should take. Find a dentist for your consultation and begin your journey to a fully restored smile.
Why Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a more permanent solution to missing teeth than other options. There are several benefits, both healthwise and financially, to choosing dental implants.
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Convenience
Unlike dentures, which you must clean regularly, your dental implant just needs to be cleaned like a natural tooth. You won’t need to add any extra steps to your morning or evening routine. Just floss, brush, and use a mouthwash.
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Durability
You need to replace dentures every 5-7 years, whereas a dental implant lasts the rest of your life. You might need to replace the crown after about 25 years, but the metal root in your jaw is permanent.
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Cost-Effective
Because other solutions for missing teeth need to be replaced several times over your lifetime, dental implants could cost you less over time. They also don’t require any extra purchases like cleansing solutions or special dental tools.
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More Natural
Like natural teeth, dental implants sit directly in your jaw. The bone gradually grows over the titanium screw, securing it. The artificial tooth looks more natural than dentures because of the way it’s attached.
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Better for Your Bones
Missing teeth can cause bone loss in the jaw because you’ve lost the biting power required to retain bone density. The titanium rod of the implant creates structure, allowing your jawbone to heal and strengthen around it.
Dental implants are an investment in your dental health. They can help you feel more comfortable with your smile and promote healthy bone growth, preserving your facial structure for a more youthful appearance.
Life Before Dental Implants
People with missing teeth express that their external image doesn’t match their internal self-image. Sometimes, people feel self-conscious about their smile, which can affect their interactions with others.
We use smiles to improve our communication with family, friends, and coworkers. Customer service workers use smiling to relax their customers and make them feel welcome. In other lines of work, a smile can help you communicate a joke or put your boss at ease when you request a raise.
Social media has increased the importance of image in today’s society. Someone with missing teeth might experience cyberbullying.
Missing teeth can also cause bone decay in your jaw. The more gaps, the weaker your bone becomes. They can also make it harder for you to chew, restricting your diet to softer foods. Over time, your surrounding teeth can shift, impacting how you eat and speak. Book a consultation at your local dental clinic to assess your jaw and remaining teeth.
Dental implants can help you become more confident, improve your social life, and improve your bone health.
What to Consider Before Getting a Dental Implant
Before getting a dental implant, you’ll want to ensure it’s the correct choice for you.
Most healthy people are eligible for implants. Your dentist asks you a few health questions at your first appointment to determine if the procedure is safe for you.
The best candidates have healthy gums, enough jawbone to hold the implant, and are committed to maintaining good dental hygiene, including regular flossing and brushing.
Heavy smoking, chronic disorders, or recent radiation treatments might disqualify you from receiving a dental implant. Be honest with your dentist, and they will proceed on a case-by-case basis.
Dental implant surgery can be an expensive, long-term process. Before continuing with the procedure, you should consult with your dentist to learn more about recovery times, costs, payment options, and follow-up surgeries.
Life After a Dental Implant
Once you’ve completed your surgery and received your replacement tooth, your jaw can begin to heal itself.
You might also notice a difference in your relationships and in the way you view yourself. You might even begin to feel more comfortable smiling or laughing without covering your mouth.
Unlike with dentures, your new implants won’t slip or need to be adjusted. You’ll also be able to chew normally and won’t need to plan your meals around your teeth.
Caring For Your Dental Implants Before and After Your Surgery
The process to receive your dental implants requires several procedures.
In the first surgery, your dentist inserts a tiny metal screw into your jaw. After this surgery, you’ll simply need to rest and recover, following any food restrictions laid out by your dentist.
If you notice any signs of infections, including discomfort around the missing teeth, bleeding, or you develop a fever, you should contact your dentist immediately.
It can take your gum and jaw 2-6 months to heal after the first surgery. Once they recover, your dentist fits the abutment to your dental implant, which prevents the gum tissue from interfering with your implant and crown. After this minor surgery, you should follow any aftercare instructions given to you by your dentist. Generally, these include rinsing with warm water and using a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Finally, your dentist uses 3D imaging or X-rays to take impressions of your mouth and create a custom artificial tooth. Once it’s fitted, you’ll simply need to brush and floss regularly to keep your dental implant clean and healthy.
Caring for your dental implants before and after your surgeries is easy to do with your dentist’s guidance. Consult with your dentist about any specifics relating to your case, and follow all their instructions.
Book an Appointment Today
If your missing teeth are causing you discomfort, interfering with your social life, or making it harder to eat, book an appointment with No Gaps Dental to discuss how a dental implant could improve your quality of life.
Call us on (02) 8007 6727 to schedule your consultation at your local dental clinic today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.