A Dental Implant Is the Best Option Available to Replace Missing Teeth
Your speech and chewing ability are likely to be affected if you are missing a tooth or teeth in the mouth. Trying to figure out a treatment for the missing teeth will undoubtedly take you to your dentist in Phoenix or any other part of the United States. While the dentist may suggest many options the best will be dental implants which can act as replacement teeth in different areas of your mouth or even a single tooth.
The treatment with a dental implant will require surgery to mount a titanium metal post into your lower or upper jaw on which a replacement tooth can be mounted on the implant. The titanium post will allow the tooth to remain in place.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
The replacement tooth on the implant resembles your natural tooth and will remain with you for several years. The dental implant does not require support from adjacent teeth like in the case of bridges and therefore the rest of your teeth should remain intact.
The Disadvantages of Dental Implants
Dental Implants are inserted in a surgical procedure so being in good health is imperative for the surgery as well as the recovery. The healing process can last for several months. The dentist performing the procedure will not attach the replacement tooth until the dental implant has healed completely. The cost of replacing a single tooth with dental implants is cost-prohibitive and depends on several factors. The cost of the implant for a single tooth can be as high as $ 3000-$ 6000. The procedure for the implant may not be covered by some insurance companies making you liable for deductibles and co-pays.
Why Are Dental Implants Considered As the Best?
After the surgical insertion, the titanium post will be allowed to integrate with your jawbone. The post acts as a tooth root on which an abutment tooth will be attached during a second surgery. Your dentist will prepare the artificial tooth after looking at the other teeth in your mouth and develop them to resemble your teeth perfectly. After the final placement, you will have a replacement tooth that looks and feels like your natural teeth. No one will ever notice or feel the difference between the replacement tooth and your original teeth.
You will not face any speech impediments or difficulties with eating or maintaining your oral hygiene. If you are determined to take good care of your dental implant you just need to follow regular oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing every day, avoiding certain foodstuffs, and visiting your dentist twice a year for exams and cleanings. If you follow the routine stringently you can confidently believe you have overcome the problems you had with the missing teeth in your mouth.
How Can Missing Teeth Impact You?
Little or no impact may be noticed in some cases depending on the location of the missing tooth. The gaps in the mouth may not be noticed especially if you are missing a tooth in the backside of your mouth. However, your teeth are designed to function together and missing one or more of them can create problems such as impacting your speech, eating, and other dental issues.
When it becomes difficult to chew or eat your food it may result in eating from just one side of the mouth and the problem of this type can affect your facial muscles as well as your jaw. The missing teeth can alter the shape of your face and cause your mouth to shift. Your bite may as well change to compensate for the missing teeth and the remaining teeth may begin to shift into the position left vacant by your missing tooth. It can lead to problems such as tooth sensitivity, difficulties in chewing and tooth grinding.
What Options Are Available Other Than Dental Implants?
If you believe that the implants may not be suitable for you because of the higher costs involved or the waiting time before the replacement teeth are attached to the post you may consider fixed bridges, removable partial denture or removable complete denture. You may also consider the all on four implants where just four implants are sufficient to replace all the teeth on the bottom or upper jaw in your mouth. This option will not be as expensive as dental implants but may set you back by a few thousand dollars.
If you missing a single tooth in your mouth and are prepared to wait for the replacement teeth to be attached you should consider the best option available to you in the form of dental implants. This is a lifelong investment that will remain with you as long as you are prepared to become involved in dental implant care properly.