Back in the day, if you needed a form of restorative dentistry, you may have ended up with a gold or silver tooth standing out in your smile. However, dentistry has come a long way and, these days, you can restore your smile seamlessly in as little as a visit or two.
One of the most common ways to improve not only the functionality but also the appearance of your smile is through the use of dental implants. Since these are a viable option for many people, it's important to be able to recognize the signs that you need dental implants so you're able to quickly schedule a visit with your dentist and achieve the smile of your dreams.
You Have Missing Teeth
Whether you knocked out a tooth during a sports game as a teenager or you needed to have a tooth removed to prevent further problems as an adult, a missing tooth, and the subsequent gap in your gums, is not something to ignore.
Without a tooth there to protect them, your gums and the roots below them are more susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup. If left unchecked, that area can begin to decay, putting you at risk of losing other adult teeth or developing gum disease. By having a dental implant installed in that space, you will be protecting your gums from further potential harm.
A missing tooth can also cause feelings of embarrassment and prevent you from smiling. If a missing tooth causes you to feel uneasy about flashing your smile for photos or even just in the company of friends, dental implants can help restore your smile’s appearance and help you feel much more confident.
You Need a Tooth Pulled
Perhaps you haven’t lost a tooth yet, but you have to have one removed for one reason or another. In this case, it may be wise to speak to your dentist about getting an implant in that spot to replace the tooth. By planning ahead, you'll be proactive in protecting your gums and maintaining the smile you've come to love.
You Have Sunken Facial Features
You may not realize it, but your teeth actually help maintain a full facial expression.When you have missing teeth, your lips have a tendency to curl inward around your gums, giving you a sunken, older facial appearance. Dental implants help restore your facial structure to give you a fuller, younger appearance.
You Have a Severely Damaged Tooth
In some cases, a cracked or chipped tooth can be repaired using dental bonding or other, less drastic methods. However, if your tooth is severely damaged — for instance, it is cracked down to the nerve — your dentist will often suggest removing it and replacing it with a dental implant.
This is done to ensure that you don't experience further damage to the nerve or your gums by leaving it exposed when it is beyond the state bonding can fix.
You are Tired of Dentures
While dentures are a viable and common solution for older adults with missing teeth, they also can be a bit of a hassle. Dentures require a good amount of maintenance as well as extra products to keep them in place and clean. Beyond that, some adults find that, no matter what products they use, their dentures move around or fall out entirely throughout the day.
Dental implants are securely fused to your jaw bone using titanium roots and do not require you to alter your typical oral care routine. Since you treat implants as you would a regular tooth, you don't need adhesives or daily cleaners — you simply brush and floss like you normally would.
Trust Richardson Dentistry for a Restored Smile
At Richardson Dentistry, we provide our patients with quality restorative dental care in and around Richardson, Texas. We even offer All-on-4 procedures that can provide you with a new smile in a matter of hours. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about how our team can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
