Signs You Need Dental Implants

Dental Implant and x-ray picture as background

If you’ve lost one or more of your teeth, you may be familiar with at least some of your replacement options, like full or partial dentures, or a dental bridge. Have you considered dental implants? If you have not, Orlando oral surgeon Ronald Trevisani offers five reasons why you should:

1.     You want a permanent solution.

Perhaps you’ve experimented with removable tooth replacements, such as a partial or full denture appliance, or bridgework. Depending on the specific prosthetic you have in place, it could be difficult to keep clean, uncomfortable or clunky. Also, these prosthetics don’t provide any stimulation to the jawbone, so it may start to deteriorate due to lack of us.

Dental implants are placed permanently in the mouth during a surgical procedure. They are strong, stable and good for the health of the jawbone. With the proper care and attention, dental implants will successfully last for many years! In fact, clinical studies show a 95 percent and higher success rate for 20 to 50 years with dental implants.

2.     You feel self-conscious of your smile.

There’s no way around it: missing teeth are a cosmetic eyesore. Gaps or spaces between the teeth can detract from an otherwise attractive smile and facial appearance. If you have one or more missing teeth, it’s natural to feel self-conscious or embarrassed by your smile. It may even affect your confidence level and prevent you from engaging socially or pursuing professional opportunities (like a new job or a promotion).

Dental implants look exactly like a normal tooth. They are customized specifically to blend in with your surrounding teeth; or, if the implants are replacing an entire arch of teeth, they will be crafted to complement your facial proportions and to meet your specifications.

3.     Your teeth have shifted around.

One of the consequences of missing teeth is that the remaining teeth are likely to shift around in the mouth and into the space or gap. This can lead to more serious problems, like an uneven or misaligned bite, a heightened risk of gum disease and uneven wear and tear.

Dental implants fill the space left by the missing tooth to keep the surrounding teeth from moving. Even better: dental implants are completely independent and do not rely on the surrounding teeth for support (unlike, for example, a dental bridge, which is affixed to the teeth adjacent to the gap).

4.     Your face looks sunken-in.

As previously mentioned, missing teeth can cause the underlying jawbone to deteriorate from lack of stimulation. The loss of jawbone has serious implications. For example, without the foundation of the jawbone, the facial structures can start to collapse, giving the face a “sunken-in” look. This causes a prematurely aged look.

Dental implants will stimulate the jawbone for a healthy, normal facial structure.

5.     You want to enjoy your meals.

One of the most inconvenient side effects of missing teeth is that simple tasks like biting and chewing become cumbersome or even painful. In extreme cases, people with missing teeth are at risk of nutritional deficiencies because they only eat bland, soft foods that lack the proper nutrients.

After healing, dental implants feel very comfortable in the mouth and promote normal chewing and biting function. You can enjoy all of your favorite foods, even meats and crunchy fruits and vegetables!

If you’d like more information about the benefits of dental implants, Dr. Trevisani would be happy to meet with you and talk about your options. Please contact our office today to schedule an appointment.