Dental Implants: Improving Appearance and Health

If you're missing teeth due to injury or decay, dental implants could be just what you need to bring both your appearance and oral health back up to snuff. Society highly values a complete, white set of teeth when it comes to a person's appearance. It indicates not only good health, but it is used as a sign of status, education, and financial stability. But missing teeth are about more than impressing others. A few gaps can impede function and cause health problems that may not come into focus for years. A good dentist can solve those problems before they get started.

What many people fail to consider is that their teeth act as a monolithic structure. When one goes missing—particularly a back one—people are far too likely to think little of it. Chew on the other side, and who is really the wiser? But what this misses is that each tooth relies on the other to form a complete structure. When one goes missing, it can have an impact on not only the other teeth, but also on the bones of the jaw. Bones need something to do. When there is no longer a root to hold in place, the bone can become weak and start to disintegrate. This causes your remaining teeth to slide and it can have an impact on your underlying facial structure.

Dental implants can prevent this kind of deterioration from starting. As opposed to a partial denture, which is just skin deep, it is screwed directly down into the jaw, acting as a complete artificial tooth. It is more permanent than a denture and functions in a way that is nearly indistinguishable from a natural tooth. For those that have the money, it can act as a perfect replacement. Of course, this is the issue that keeps many from getting them; they are more expensive than other, less invasive solutions.

If you're interested in what dental implants can do for you, the best move is to seek out a dentist in your area that performs the procedure. It isn't as common as providing dentures, so you may not be able to rely on your usual dentist. Whether or not it is fully or partially covered by your dental insurance is something you'll need to take up with your existing coverage. Unfortunately, it is seen as a cosmetic application by many insurance companies, so you may have to come up with the money for the procedure yourself. Look for dentist's offices that provide payment plans.