When you stand in front of a mirror and smile your best smile, does it meet your expectations for what a really nice smile should be? If missing or unhealthy teeth are diminishing your smile results, you may well want to consult your dentist about getting dental implants.
A dental implant is a manufactured replacement tooth for one or more of your natural teeth. They can look as perfect as you want them to be. But what can you expect from getting a dental implant? Here are a few of the advantages experienced by my patients over the past 20 years:
1. A Better Looking Smile
That’s the first thing you’ll notice. Dental implants can look and feel exactly like your natural teeth, and you won’t be able to tell the difference once they’re implanted in your mouth. Each implant is securely fused with the bone, so they’re as permanent as natural teeth.
2. More Convenient than Dentures
If you’re like most patients who’ve just had an implant, your second response will be the realization that you don’t have to deal with dentures any more.
No more denture creams, no more soaking. No more embarrassment of removing your dentures in front of loved ones or strangers. You simply brush your implants along with your natural teeth each day, and it won’t be long before you forget that some of your teeth are natural and some are implants. It’s a good place to be.
3. Improved Eating Comfort
If you’ve had dentures, you of course know about sliding dentures. That can make chewing both a challenge and uncomfortable. But because dental implants are securely attached to your bone just like your natural teeth, such problems are no longer an issue.
You can eat your favorite fools, chew to your heart’s content, and feel no pain or discomfort.
4. More Precise Speaking
If your dentures are poorly fitted, you may have experienced some slippage as you spoke. That can cause you to slur or mispronounce words, or even to mumble. Dental implants, on the other hand, let you speak clearly and distinctly, with no slippage whatsoever. Now you can speak with confidence in any kind of situation, including in groups, public meetings or seminars.
5. Higher Self Esteem
If you’ve been embarrassed by your dentures or even unsightly teeth, replacing them with denture implants can give you markedly improved self esteem and confidence. No one will ever know you’ve had implants done-unless you tell them.
6. Better Dental Health
Unlike full or partial dentures, dental implants do not require that nearby teeth have to be reduced, as when you have a tooth-supported bridge, for example. More of your original teeth are left intact. You’ll also find it easier to brush or floss, since implants maintain the naturally open area between teeth. This can mean better dental health far into the future.
7. Increased Durability
Dental implants today are made of very durable materials, so they normally last for many years. Assuming you take good care of them-with regular brushing and flossing-they could even last you for the rest of your life. That can save you money down the road, not to mention the savings of never having to buy denture creams again.
In the final analysis, when your dentist has both the training and in depth experience, dental implants can bring you major improvements over either missing teeth or the use of dentures. The advantages of dental implants are numerous and significant, and can open the way to a more comfortable, enjoyable life.
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