How do you feel about your smile? If missing teeth have left you feeling self-conscious, or you’ve been managing with partial dentures that feel uncomfortable and look artificial, it may be time for a lasting solution.
At Eccella Smiles in Jacksonville Beach, we help patients explore the best tooth replacement options for their specific situation, including dental implants, the most lifelike and long-lasting choice in modern restorative dentistry. Read on to learn about the top five reasons patients choose implants over other options.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
First, let’s look at what dental implants are. You can think of implants as state-of-the-art prosthetic teeth. Unlike other types of replacement teeth, implants are actually placed right into your jaw.
This process takes several steps. First, if necessary, your old tooth is removed. Then the dentist inserts a stem made of titanium, meant to mimic the tooth’s natural root, directly into the jawbone.
After this heals, you’ll return to the dentist for the crown to be affixed to the root.
Dental implants are natural looking. You can often tell when someone is wearing dentures or has had cosmetic work done. Those smiles can look a little too perfect, unnaturally even, or a blindingly bright shade of white. Dental implants look like your natural teeth. They are custom made to match your surrounding teeth in color, size, and shape, so no one will know you’ve had restorative work done.
Dental implants act just like natural teeth. If you’ve been living with dentures, you have probably had to change your diet. Certain foods are simply too difficult to bite or chew while wearing false teeth. Implants act just like your other teeth. They are strong and durable, so you can eat apples, corn on the cob, popcorn, steak, nuts, and more once again.
Dental implants are easy to care for. Because implants mimic natural teeth, you treat them just like your other teeth when cleaning them. Simply brush and floss as you would with a mouthful of natural teeth. No more soaking in solutions or messy adhesives, and no more worrying about your teeth. Best of all, with proper care, your implants can last a lifetime.
Dental implants prevent bone loss. Without teeth working as anchors, people can easily lose bone mass. In fact, if a tooth is not replaced within one year of extraction, up to 25% of bone mass in that area can be lost. Further loss continues the longer there is a gap in your teeth. Dental implants help safeguard your jawbone by acting as a functional root.
Dental implants help protect your other teeth. All of your teeth work together to help hold one another up. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth are at risk for shifting and interfering with your ability to bite and chew. Dental implants help uphold the integrity of your full smile and prevent further tooth loss.
Schedule Your Consultation at Eccella Smiles
The benefits of dental implants go beyond aesthetics. They preserve your jawbone, support the surrounding teeth, and give you a smile that functions and feels completely natural. If you are ready to explore whether implants are right for you, our team at Eccella Smiles is here to walk you through every option.
Schedule a complimentary consultation at Eccella Smiles in Jacksonville Beach today.
How long does the dental implant process take?
The full implant process typically spans several months. After the titanium post is placed by an oral surgeon, it needs 3 to 6 months to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once that healing is confirmed, we complete your custom crown or restoration. A temporary restoration may be placed in the meantime so you are never without a tooth.
Are dental implants painful?
The surgical placement is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients report mild soreness and swelling for a few days afterward, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Many patients say the experience was more comfortable than they expected.
How do I care for my dental implants?
You care for implants the same way you care for your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss around the implant, and keep up with your routine dental checkups and cleanings. The crown may eventually need replacement after 10 to 15 years of normal wear, but the implant post itself is designed to last a lifetime with proper care.
Can anyone get dental implants?
Good candidates for dental implants typically have adequate jawbone density, healthy gums, and good overall health. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or significant bone loss can affect candidacy and may need to be addressed first. A thorough evaluation with imaging will help determine whether implants are the right fit for you.
