Beautiful, bright healthy teeth have the distinction of providing us with both aesthetic and practical functions. Healthy teeth can comprise a dazzling smile that arms us with the ability to captivate an audience of many or just one special person.
A mouth full of healthy functioning teeth also enables us to devour a delicious steak dinner with corn on the cob and all the fixings. Healthy teeth not only allow us to bite into our food, but also to properly chew so that our food can be broken down to nourish our body.
But if you are among the 120 million Americans who are missing at least one tooth or the 36 million Americans do not have any teeth at all, you may be wondering what options you have to restore your smile and get back to enjoying all your favorite foods again. Kavitha Gowda, DDS, and our professional dental team at Perfect Smiles Dentistry offer their insights on how dental implants are the gold standard for missing teeth.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is made from titanium and looks a lot like a screw or post. An implant is surgically inserted in the jawbone below the gum line and is topped with a custom milled dental crown, which ultimately takes the place of a missing tooth. If you have some remaining healthy teeth, we use dental bridges to fill the gap between missing teeth and natural, healthy neighboring teeth.
The process to get dental implants usually takes place over the course of several months, which allows your mouth to heal and the implant to fuse with the bone. Dental implants are great options for adults who have at least one missing tooth and healthy gums.
Comfortable and convenient
One of the biggest advantages of dental implants, as opposed to other options like dentures, is that the comfort and convenience can’t be beat. Dental implants are a permanent, non-removable option just like your natural teeth. There’s no need to remove them at night or worry about the fit because your dental implants are essentially new permanent replacement teeth that operate like your natural teeth did.
Stable with no slipping and sliding
If you ever wore dentures or know someone who has you know that the fit can be an issue. With dental implants, you not only don’t have to be self-conscious about slipping and sliding teeth when you eat, talk, or even sing, but you can forget about those gooey adhesives as well. So be yourself. Tell that long joke and know that the only thing your friends will be talking about is the punchline, not your teeth!
Durable and natural-looking
And as if comfort, stability, and regaining your self-confidence and ability to eat all your favorite foods again aren’t enough, dental implants are durable and natural-looking. You’ll almost forget they aren’t your natural teeth, and we won’t tell if you don’t. When you factor in diligent at-home care like brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, your dental implants can last a lifetime. Now, that’s definitely the ultimate do-over.
If you’re missing at least one tooth and want to find out if dental implants are right for you, contact Kavitha Gowda, DDS, and our team at Perfect Smiles Dentistry. Take the first step to restoring your smile by booking your consultation using our online tool or call today.