Dental Implants: Are they an option for you?

With their popularity rising, you may have heard more and more people talk about dental implants. Dental implants are an effective way to replace natural missing teeth, whether they are lost because of disease or an accident. Dental implants are posts surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone. You may want to choose dental implants if:

• you hide your smile because you have missing teeth
• your dentures are not comfortable
• you are not happy with your removable partial dentures
• you do not have or do not want your other teeth to anchor a bridge restoration

People may choose implants to replace a single tooth, more than one tooth, or to support a full set of dentures.

Dental implants are made of titanium (a strong, lightweight metal) and other materials. Millions of implants are placed by dentists every year in the United States, which makes them a very common and popular option for replacing teeth.

Implants offer firm support to natural teeth and have many benefits, including these:

• Implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth. This is very important for eating and speaking normally.
• Implants feel more natural than removable partial or conventional complete dentures because of their secure fit.
• A single tooth implant is a stand-alone unit and doesn’t involve treating the teeth next to it.
• Implants help to preserve the bone after teeth are lost or removed.
• Implants are a good value. They may seem like a more expensive option at first, but they can last a lifetime if you take good care of them.

Regular dental visits and putting in the time to take care of your implant are key to the long-term success of your implant. Your dentist will set up a program to help you keep your implant and natural teeth healthy.

Your dentist will also suggest a home-care routine that meets your needs. It will include brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth at least once a day. You also may be told to use a special toothbrush or mouthrinse to help prevent cavities and gum disease.

You should talk about implant treatment carefully with your dentist. Dental implant treatment can take longer and cost more than other replacement options, but they are often a good value because they can last a lifetime.