Just one missing tooth can have a significant impact on your smile, whether it affects your aesthetic, how confident you are around others, or damages your oral health. While a person can lose a tooth for various reasons such as injury or decay, it is crucial to seek a solution from your dentist as soon as possible.
At Thomas E. Toolson, DDS, Inc., we provide dental implants to improve a patient’s aesthetic and dental function as well as maintain their oral health. Dr. Thomas Toolson wants to inform patients about the benefits of implant-supported restorations by answering the following questions:
How does one missing tooth affect my oral health?
Our smiles are meant to be complete, and if a lost tooth leaves an empty space, our dental anatomy will try to fill in the gap. Over time, surrounding teeth begin to shift into the area which may lead to crowding and a misaligned bite. The negative effects of a changing jaw structure do not stop there, as moving teeth can cause discomfort and change the facial structure, creating a prematurely aged appearance.
Additionally, improperly aligned teeth reduce the effectiveness of a person’s bite, which can lead to poor digestion as nutrients are not being processed correctly.
How do dental implants improve my oral health?
Dental implants comprehensively restore a lost tooth, giving the patient a fully functional bite. The restored smile allows them to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. This is because implants address the underlying health issues associated with missing teeth. They replace a tooth from root to crown, ensuring the jawbone does not experience rapid resorption, maintaining healthy bone density.
Implant-supported crowns seamlessly blend in with surrounding teeth to give patients a beautiful, healthy smile.
How do I know if I am a candidate for dental implants?
To be considered a candidate for dental implants, a patient must have sufficient bone mass to support the tooth replacement. The smile must be free of gum disease beginning the procedure; this decreases the risk of potential complications. Individuals who do not meet jawbone density requirements are able to restore their hard tissue and receive dental implants later on.
If an unsuccessful integration of the implant post and jaw occurs, the implant will be taken out, but a person may undergo treatment once again.
For more information regarding dental implants, contact the office of Thomas E. Toolson, DDS, Inc.!