A nice smile can stand out from across a room; it’s also noticeable when your smile is lacking a few teeth. As adults we shouldn’t have to deal with gaps in our mouths from missing teeth. Teeth can be lost for a variety of reasons and if you find yourself in that position, your dentist may recommend you get a dental implant. Here are a few common questions and answers regarding dental implants.
What is a dental implant exactly?
A dental implant is essentially a fake tooth, inclusive of a fabricated root, that is created to take the place of a missing tooth. The root is made out of titanium, while the crown (fake tooth) is typically made out of a material like porcelain.
Will it look different from my existing teeth?
No, once the dental implant is in place a crown is made to go over the implant as a cap. A dental crown can be specially made to match the colour and shape of your teeth to create a seamless transition between teeth. Only you and your dentist will know that you have a dental implant – to everyone else it appears you retained all your natural teeth.
Why should I bother with getting a dental implant?
As adults we have already gone through the process of losing our baby teeth and having new teeth grow in the gaps. However when we lose a tooth as an adult we either live with a gap in our smile or seek out another option. Dental implants allow us to return to our normal selves easily and without any visible signs of a change. If we allow a gap to stay in our teeth, it can affect the health of the surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone.
Will it feel or function any differently than my real teeth?
A properly installed dental implant will feel no different from a normal tooth to you. You will be able to chew as normally as if it was your natural tooth. You should also be certain to floss between the dental implant and the real tooth so as to properly care for the surrounding teeth and gums.
Do I have to undergo surgery to get a dental implant?
No, having a dental implant put in is not considered surgery. For a traditional dental implant to be done a local anesthesia will be applied to the area. For uncomplicated dental implants you can expect the process to take around one hour to complete.
Getting your great smile back to normal is easier than you ever thought it could be! Talk to your dentist about getting dental implants and finally solve any unwanted tooth gaps.
