Dental Implants: The Road To Replacing Missing Teeth

Losing a tooth can be a devastating blow. Whether through decay or injury, you don't feel whole without it. If it's a front tooth, most people will want something done about it immediately. If it's a back tooth, some people feel as though it can be mourned quietly and then forgotten about. This is usually a mistake. Teeth have roots that go into the jawbone. When that root is missing, the bone in that area can begin to degrade, allowing other teeth to slide and causing your face to change. The change is sometimes subtle, but it rarely improves one's appearance. If you're interested in doing something about it before it gets to that point, dental implants could be your best choice.

Finding a Dentist

Dental implants are an effective replacement for missing teeth, but they are not nearly as popular as less invasive options, such as dentures. For this reason, you'll probably have to do a bit of digging to find a dentist who performs the procedure. Don't let yourself be talked out of the procedure simply because your regular dentist has no experience with it. Look online, and you are sure to find professionals in your area who know what they are doing and can set up an appointment.

Alternatives

On the other hand, there are alternatives to dental implants that could work well for your situation. Don't close your mind to these options, which will probably be much less expensive. If you still have the tooth, but are simply experiencing decay, it is usually worth it to go through a root canal, rather than having the tooth pulled and then replaced with an artificial tooth. Even if your tooth is gone, you should realize that implementing implants is done through surgery, and any type of surgery should be seriously considered before going through with it.

Smoking

Most dentists will give a strict warning to those smokers who are considering dental implants. It isn't a good idea. There are endless reasons for putting down the cigarettes, and if you needed another one, here it is. Research has shown that smokers have a much lower success rate when it comes to the surgery. Risks and complications are increased. Some dentists may refuse to perform the procedure if you are still smoking. Consult your dentist for more information, but even if he says he will go through with it, understand that your risks are greater than they would be for the average patient.