At some point in their lives, just about everyone has some sort of dental problem they can’t seem to get rid of. Some of the most common dental issues include tooth loss and decay. Both conditions often require dental implants to help restore oral and dental health.
Dental implants are one of the many procedures Dr. Lans performs, and they can help with a wide range of dental issues. Whether you lost a tooth or experienced significant damage to multiple teeth, a dental implant may be what you need.
What Exactly Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a unique creation that’s meant to take the place of a tooth and its roots. With a crown that looks like a tooth on top and a screw-like body that goes into the jawbone, the implant is designed to replace the lost or damaged tooth and keep the patient’s dental health intact. Dental implants are often used to maintain the structure of the patient’s jaw or keep other teeth from moving into the empty space where the damaged tooth was.
When Is a Dental Implant Needed?
A dental implant may be needed for multiple reasons, including:
- Missing Teeth
The most common reason patients require a dental implant is if they have a missing tooth. These implants are sometimes required in cases of adolescents who don’t have adult teeth growing in, but mostly for adults who have lost their permanent teeth. A dental implant both looks and acts like a tooth, helping to function as one but also make your mouth look more natural and healthier.
- Severe Decay/Damage That Leads to Extraction
In some cases, patients may have broken, damaged, or decaying teeth. When decay or damage is too severe, this can lead to the extraction of a tooth. For some people, they may not need a dental implant to take the place of the extracted tooth. But in most cases, a dental implant is needed to replace the tooth and take its job. When a tooth is extracted, especially if it’s an important one like a molar, simple tasks like chewing can become much harder. With a dental implant, chewing and drinking will be just as easy, if not easier, than when you had your damaged tooth.
- Keep the Structural Integrity of Your Jaw
When a tooth is damaged, extracted, or just missing, the structural integrity of your jaw is at stake. It may seem like one tooth missing isn’t a big deal. However, when it comes to the proper function of your teeth and jaws, having even one tooth gone can cause significant problems. Each tooth’s location and function all play a role in how your jaw works and looks overall. With missing teeth and no replacement, your bite and chewing ability can be affected greatly.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Getting dental implants comes with a variety of benefits in the long run, such as:
- Improved overall oral health
- Easier to chew, eat, and drink
- Increased comfort in the jaw, neck, and mouth
- Can help to fix over/underbites
- Durable
- Improved speech
- Healthier appearance
- Increased self-esteem in many patients
Dental Implants From a Dentist You Can Trust
As with any dental procedure, you want your teeth to be in the hands of someone you can trust. Here at Lan’s Family Dentistry, we know just how daunting dental procedures like getting a dental implant can be. That’s why we’re here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible for our patients. With any questions or concerns about dental implants or the other services at our practice, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.