When you’re missing a tooth and need to replace it, there’s no better option than a dental implant. While it’s more costly than bridges or dentures, it’s by far the superior option.
Most people who have gotten dental implants are very happy with them. According to the cosmetic procedure review site RealSelf, 95% of people who’ve gotten them say it was “worth it.”
Dental implants look and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Thomas D. Sokoly of Sokoly Dental explains five of the top benefits of dental implants.
Dental implants are firmly attached to your bone. First, we start by attaching a small titanium post to the tooth socket in your jaw. The bone tissue grows to fuse with your post over the course of 3-6 months. Then, it’s topped with an abutment, or connector. Finally, we attach a crown on top of the abutment, which is the only part that’s visible. The end result looks and feels just like a natural tooth.
An implant feels completely secure in your mouth, which is a big contrast to alternatives such as dentures. Most people find that because they’re removable, dentures never feel quite secure; even when using a dental adhesive, they tend to shift around in your mouth. Dental implants are permanent and feel like it.
Your teeth do more than just enable you to talk and chew. They also protect the bone structure of your face. When you’re missing teeth, your facial structure adapts to their absence. This can result in the appearance of sunken cheeks.
Missing teeth also cause your other teeth to shift position. In the end, you could need braces or other costly restorative work to put them back in line. Implants protect your teeth and the structure of your face.
When you have dental implants, you take care of your teeth in the same way you always have. Dental implants are in every way indistinguishable from your natural teeth, even down to their color. You can brush and floss them easily — there are no crooked areas or gaps that are hard to reach. You don’t even have to worry about getting cavities in them! The only thing you really have to do is avoid consuming a sugary and high-carbohydrate diet, which is important for all your teeth.
Dental implants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to fit in with your other teeth, and Dr. Sokoly makes sure their color matches too. No one except you and Dr. Sokoly will be able to tell that your teeth are anything but natural.
Because dental implants are anchored to your teeth with sturdy titanium posts, you can still bite and chew with a natural force, which stimulates your jaw tissue to provide healthy support. You don’t have to adjust your bite at all, either. Other alternatives like dentures require you to chew more carefully, and your bone can atrophy due to lack of appropriate bite pressure.
Dental implants are the most natural solution to replace a missing tooth, but they’re not the right solution for everyone. Call Sokoly Dental at 202-280-2428 today to learn more about this restoration option, or request a consultation online.
