Tooth loss happens. Whether it is because of older age, unhealthy habits, or a random accident, at some point in your life, you might find yourself in need of replacement teeth. Today, there are many options for replacing missing teeth and filling in gaps in your smile. In some ways, the amount of choices can seem overwhelming and confusing. That’s where we come in!
For many patients, dental implants are the most efficient and effective way to replace missing teeth. If you’re interested in being one of them, ask yourself the following questions.
How important are aesthetics?
Stop and think for a moment about the people in your life. You can probably picture a few folks who have either total or partial dentures. Dentures, while a lovely option for some, are often easy to identify because of their signature alignment and coloration. It might be harder to think of friends and family who have dental implants. That might be because they are harder to detect than traditional replacement options. With implants, each tooth is replaced individually, so the replacements are not connected and therefore look like natural, independent teeth. Additionally, each tooth is tinted to look like part of a natural smile. That means that whether you are getting a full set of implants or just a few, your smile will look realistic and healthy.
What’s your current lifestyle like?
Tooth replacement is a serious surgery that can be life-changing in many ways. We want to make sure that your experience features all positive changes! One great thing about dental implants is the fact that you will not have to change many of your eating habits. For example, if you love corn on the cob or biting into a crisp apple, you won’t have to worry about slippage that comes from traditional dentures. Likewise, sticky foods, like gum and candy, can be consumed without worrying about loosening your replacements. This is something individuals with partials have to consider. Lots of people are also excited about the idea of skipping the cleaning process that comes with dentures and instead of maintaining regular oral health care, like brushing, flossing, and dental check ups. And we’ve all seen those viral videos of dentures flying out of mouths while blowing out birthday candles. Because of their permanent placement, dental implants can also spare you from potentially embarrassing moments, like slippage or complete fall out.
How strong is your mouth?
Be mindful that the implant process includes inserting metal rods into your existing jawbone. If you have weak bones, your mouth might not be up for implants and would be better suited for partials or total dentures. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for implants is a visit with Dr. Cohen and his team. After a thorough examination, we will be able to determine how well implants might fit into your life. If your jaw is in relatively good shape, you can rest assured that the implants won’t worsen them. In fact, implants are one of the few restorative techniques that actually protect the existing bone structure.
What are the advantages to dental implants?
Not only are dental implants important for your own appearance, but they are also important for your overall health. Some of the advantages of dental implants are that:
- They preserve bone structure
- They do not affect the other teeth surrounding it, unlike dentures and bridges, and they also help keep the teeth at bay
- They are durable and still feel like your real tooth.
Once you’ve considered your options, if you think implants are right for your life, we want to help make it happen. Conveniently, all the steps that make up the implant process can be completed at our Briarwood and Great Neck offices! That means you’ll save time and travel — as well as work with a staff who understands your situation from start to finish. We’re excited to support you in your tooth replacement journey. Reach out today!