What You Want to Know About Dental Implants

Dental implants may be something your dentist brought up as a solution for improving the way your teeth look. You may be wondering what they are, and how they can help you. An implant is a special, synthetic tooth that looks, feels and works like any other tooth in your mouth. According to some studies, about 69 percent of middle-aged adults have at least one of their permanent teeth missing. This could occur for reasons such as gum disease, accidents, tooth decay or even a failed root canal. As you get older, the risks of losing more increase. At the age of 74, up to 26 percent of people have no permanent teeth left.

What Are Your Options

Dental implants are a rather new solution. 20 years ago, the only option for those who were within a permanent tooth was to use a procedure called a bridge. This product would require the securing of the fake tooth to those nearby, damaging them. The procedure isn't easy and they often have complications.

Another solution may be the use of dentures. Difficult to maintain and embarrassing when they slip out of place, these make many people unhappy. Removable dentures often cause people trouble with smiling, talking and eating, too.

How an Implant Is Different

Dental implants are a better option. They create a permanent solution in the mouth. You do not take these out or treat them in any special way. They look and work just like any other tooth in your mouth. The dentist will color them to match the other teeth in your mouth as well. In short, they are very realistic looking.

This procedure works by the dentist creating a tooth to match the space required. It is possible to use this procedure for more than one missing or replaced tooth structure in the mouth as well. Once the synthetic device is ready, the dentist will secure it into place by attaching it to the bone structure in your mouth. Just like the way a root normally holds onto the bone structure, so does the implant. In doing this, it does not move and the risk of it falling out or moving is not any greater than any of the others in your mouth.

Dental implants are highly effective. They are simple and straightforward to use. If you are tired of having a gap, or you have the need to have one or more removed, you do not have to continue to suffer. This procedure can create a very healthy looking smile for you all over again. That can make the biggest difference in the way you look and feel.