There are many ways to replace missing teeth, but dental implants are the most effective, long-lasting way to complete an incomplete smile. If you have one or more missing teeth, you could get a dental bridge or a partial denture – both strong, effective dental restorations – but a dental implant will give you the natural look you want and the fully functional smile you deserve.
The Unwanted Side Effects of Missing Teeth
When you lose a tooth, whether to accident, infection, gum disease, or otherwise, every bit of that tooth is gone. The absence of everything that’s part of your tooth under the gum line is a big deal – without the tooth root, that part of your jawbone is left unstimulated. Over time, this causes multiple problems:
- Altered appearance: One missing tooth may not lead to a sunken-in appearance, but it could. Multiple missing teeth in one area absolutely will affect the shape of your face.
- Overcompensating teeth: When a tooth is missing, the nearby teeth must pick up the slack. This can result in major wear and tear on teeth, including eroded tooth enamel, cracked teeth, and damaged dental work.
- Shifting teeth: Holes in your smile are not the norm. They’re not supposed to be there – and your teeth know it. The remaining teeth will eventually take it upon themselves to shift out of their normal positions to take up residence in the empty areas, damaging tissue and alignment.
There are many things that set dental implants apart from other restorative dentistry solutions, but the biggest one is this: The implant replaces both tooth and tooth root. Everything is restored above the gum line to give you a beautiful smile, but everything is also restored below the gum line, which is just as important.
Why Choose Dental Implants Instead of Dentures
Many people who have an entire arch of missing teeth or multiple missing teeth in one area of their mouth find themselves having to decide between dentures and dental implants. While modern dentures are easier to wear and far more user friendly than ever before, they’re still dentures – they require special daily upkeep, adhesives, and can sometimes not be the most reliable thing.
Dental implants, however, once in place are there for good. They are strong, secure, and durable. You don’t need any adhesives or special cleaning tools. Just brush and floss normally and see your dentist every six months for professional cleanings to keep your restorations in excellent condition.
Some patients find that they are good candidate for implant-supported dentures, which is the best of both worlds – dentures that permanently snap into place on top of strategically placed dental implants.
Get Dental Implants Near Me in Rye, NY
Most people are good candidates for dental implants. Sometimes, patients need a bone graft to make sure their jawbone is sturdy enough to handle an implant, but this is a small necessity when the result is a long-lasting restoration that feels and looks like natural teeth.
If you have missing teeth, don’t hesitate to get them replaced. Schedule a consultation with the dental team at Chester Hill Dentistry in Rye, NY, to find out if dental implants are the right solution for your smile makeover. Contact us to make an appointment.