How Dental Implants Can Boost Your Confidence and Improve Your Oral Health

Missing teeth are a pain, often causing embarrassment, discomfort, and other oral health issues. Though losing one tooth when you have plenty of others might not seem like a big deal, the truth is that a missing tooth can compromise your ability to chew properly, speak well, or even smile in a way that reflects who you are. 

Fortunately, our talented dental professionals, Dr. Krystle Fenton and Dr. Benjamin Radlein, at Laguna Vista Dental in Elk Grove, California can help you if you’re missing a tooth or even several teeth. Whether you lose teeth from disease, tooth decay, or injury, dental implants can make a big difference in your ability to chew your food, laugh out loud, and speak your mind. 

What are dental implants? 

The American College of Prosthodontics estimates that around 120 million people are missing at least one tooth. While it might be tempting to ignore a single missing tooth, replacing your tooth is a healthier choice. Dental implants are a great solution for missing teeth, as they can replace any missing tooth entirely. Your dental implant is customized to look like your surrounding natural teeth and to stay firmly in place. 

Dental implants are durable, long-lasting, and able to restore the full functionality of your mouth. Installing a dental implant takes place during two to three appointments over the course of several months, depending on your unique needs. Installing dental implants does require anesthetizing the area in which your provider is working, but you should still be clear to drive home or take public transit afterwards. 

After your dental implants have been installed, you don’t have to do anything special to care for your implant. You continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, as well as visit your provider at Laguna Vista Dental twice a year. Your implant could last for the rest of your life.  

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Most people who are missing one or several teeth are candidates for dental implants. Before we recommend any treatment for you, we sit with you for a thorough consultation and an exam. Your exam, which includes X-rays, will help your provider understand how best to help you. Dental implants address missing teeth, with other benefits, including: 

• Maintaining alignment: missing teeth cause other teeth to move, making them crooked (malocclusion)
• Protecting your other teeth: missing tooth puts more pressure on your jaw, making you vulnerable to developing a TMJ disorder
• A boost in confidence: a complete smile is the first thing that others notice about you
• Convenience: dental implants don’t have to be removed for cleaning, and look like your natural teeth

Most people who choose dental implants do so because their teeth are missing. Dental implants, however, may also be recommended for teeth that are damaged or decayed. Your provider may need to remove the whole tooth to protect your oral health, and dental implants may be your best option.  

I’m tired of missing teeth.

Preserving your natural teeth is always our goal, but life happens, and you may need to protect your oral health in ways you may not have considered until recently. Dental implants aren’t for everyone, but if you’re missing teeth, we’d like to talk to you about your options. Call us at 916-684-3105, or book an appointment online.