Are You Missing Teeth? This Article Could Change Your Life

Your smile has a huge impact on your appearance and your ability to communicate. If you have broken, cracked, and missing teeth, it can destroy your confidence and put a huge damper on your quality of life.


However, if you have dental problems that impact your ability to smile confidently, there is nothing to be ashamed of. More than 30 million Americans are just like you. To put that in perspective, if you think of 10 people you know, at least one of them is missing a tooth or two.


Fortunately, dental implant solutions are easier and more affordable than ever before. With technology that dentists use for dental implant solutions these days, there is no longer any reason that your Facebook profile picture should display you with a close-mouthed half-smile because you’re ashamed to show your pearly whites. Rather than living another day in missing teeth embarrassment, you should start understanding dental implants. Read on for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about dental implant solutions:


What are dental implants?

Dental implant solutions are tooth replacements (such as crowns or caps) that are attached to a titanium post that is installed in the jaw. Unlike dentures that only appear to replace the missing tooth when they are worn, a dental implant is permanent and acts exactly like the original tooth it replaces.


How are dental implants better than dentures?

Not only are dentures only temporary artificial teeth, but wearing them causes stress on the gums and leads to discomfort. Depending on which tooth or teeth the dentures replace, it might be difficult to speak clearly and eat certain foods (such as corn on the cob)! Meanwhile, dental implants give you the freedom to live as if you’d never lost the tooth to begin with. In fact, even if it is more advantageous to wear dentures, your dentist might suggest installing an implant to make the dentures more secure.


What happens if I don’t replace missing teeth?

When you have a missing tooth, the gums that hold the root of your teeth to your jaw no longer have structure and begin to recede. This bone loss will negatively impact the surrounding teeth, and may result in several missing teeth instead of only one. It also impairs your ability to speak and eat, and can cause discomfort, pain, and headaches.


Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant gives the gums stability, which is healthy for the surrounding teeth. It also improves the look and functionality of your mouth.


How much pain is involved in dental implant surgery?

Generally, only local anesthesia is necessary to numb the area of the gums that is receiving the implant. However, some patients find the idea of the procedure unsettling. If this is the case for you, your dental surgeon will likely offer the option to be sedated while your dental implants are installed. After a nice nap, you’ll wake up on your way to a winning smile!


How long does dental implant surgery take?

The time frame for dental implant surgery depends on how many teeth you are replacing and how extensive your bone loss is. If you are replacing a single tooth, the entire procedure should take an hour or less. If you are having multiple dental implants installed in a single visit, the operation could take two to three hours.


If your missing tooth has been gone for a good deal of time, a bone graph might be necessary to give the dental implant anchor something to attach to. In this case, your dental implant process will require additional visits to the dental surgeon.


Is dental implant surgery covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for dental implant surgery depends on the terms of your insurance plan, and the cause of your missing tooth (if your tooth loss is a result of a medical condition that is covered by your insurance, the implant has a higher chance of being covered). If your insurance does not cover the procedure, your dental surgeon will likely offer payment options.


Do you have any additional questions about getting a dental implant? Please share them in the comment section below!