Everyone wants a perfect set of pearly whites. However, that’s easier said than done. You can lose or damage your teeth in various ways, whether it’s poor oral hygiene or a physical injury. Fortunately, that isn’t the end. Thanks to dental implants, you can say goodbye to your chipped, cracked, or missing tooth, improving your self-confidence by fixing your winning smile.
Despite the importance of dental implants, you’ll be surprised by the number of people who aren’t aware that they need to get an implant. That’s usually because they don’t know the warning signs to look out for. If that’s also the case with you, there’s no need to worry. In this article, we’ll highlight some warning signs you must look for to know if you need dental implants.
Missing Teeth
First and foremost, one glaring warning sign is missing teeth. While it might be obvious to you that getting an implant is the best way to fix missing teeth, that’s not always the case with others. For example, most people go for dentures to replace their missing teeth. Although dentures are a pocket-friendly tooth replacement option, we don’t recommend them. Why? They aren’t as stable as dental implants, so they don’t function perfectly like natural teeth. So, getting an implant is the best option if you’re missing a tooth or teeth.
Chipped Tooth
Another warning sign that shows you need a dental implant is a chipped tooth. You’re probably wondering, “Why do I need an implant in this case? My tooth is still there!” While that may be the case, a chipped tooth is more serious than you think.
In such cases, many people run off to get their teeth fixed. While cracked or chipped teeth can be repaired or salvaged, if there’s too much damage, they have to be extracted. You’ll find it difficult to speak or chew properly if you don’t. Hence, if you get a chipped tooth and plan to remove it, we recommend getting a dental implant as your replacement option.
Decay
Oral hygiene is a topic most of us shy away from. Nevertheless, it’s still important. While you might be unaware, having a pair of pearly whites goes a long way in improving your physical appearance. Eating makes it easy for substances to get stuck between your teeth. While this might initially seem unimportant, it can lead to tooth decay. If you don’t brush or floss properly, these food substances rot between your teeth, offering a breeding ground for bacteria, which, in turn, decays your teeth and causes cavities. In such a case, the best option is to get an implant. An implant is artificial, which means there’s no risk of it decaying.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is another telltale sign that you need a dental implant. You’re probably wondering, “Is it as dangerous as it sounds?” The answer is yes. This oral condition is an advanced stage of gum disease, which causes severe inflammation of the gums. It gets even worse! If left ignored for a while, periodontitis weakens the gums and jawbones, which may cause teeth to fall out.
Once again, we recommend dental implants if you suffer from this oral condition. These implants fuse with the jawbone over time, improving its structural integrity, so you don’t have to worry about your teeth falling out.
Difficulty Eating
When teeth are crooked, missing, or damaged, eating can become very tedious and painful. For example, if you’re using dentures to replace missing teeth, you might find eating difficult if your dentures are uncomfortable. These implants are biocompatible, which means the body easily accepts them, so you’ll be able to eat without feeling uncomfortable.
Tips to choose the right dental implant
Choosing a dental implant isn’t something to be done without much thought. Here are some factors you need to consider:
The Type of Dental Implant
While you might be unaware, there are different types of dental implants. While some are inserted directly into jawbones, others are placed underneath the gums. Although they all aim to replace missing teeth, they do so in various ways. That’s why you need to know which type of dental implant is perfect for you. We recommend discussing it with a professional like Vera Smile.
The Recovery Time
Dental implants are our top choice for replacing one or more missing teeth as they fuse with the jawbone over time. However, you must consider the recovery time, as getting a dental implant requires oral surgery. Note that the recovery time differs depending on the type of dental implant.
The Risks Involved
Before choosing a dental implant, you must consider the risks involved. An implant not placed by a professional may lead to inflammation, infection, or bleeding. That’s why you need to know what you’re getting into.
However, before you start canceling your plans to get an implant, there’s something you should know. A dental implant is a relatively low-risk surgery. If done by a professional, there’s almost no chance of it going wrong.
The Cost
Dental implants are undoubtedly one of the most effective tooth replacement options. After all, who doesn’t want an artificial tooth that’s as good, or even better, than the real deal? However, due to their effectiveness, the cost of getting an implant can be high.
Depending on your dental implant, the procedure may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Hence, you need to consider the cost and stay within your budget. However, don’t compromise on quality in your quest for a pocket-friendly implant.
Your Dental Health
Lastly, you need to consider your dental health. Before you get a dental implant, you need to improve your oral health. The better your oral health, the better your chances of getting a successful dental implant. Plus, it also reduces the total recovery time.
It goes even further than just brushing and flossing regularly. If you smoke, you need to quit that long before getting an implant. Why? That’s because smoking can drastically increase your recovery time.
Conclusion
Dental implants are the top choice for replacing chipped, cracked, or missing teeth. Besides looking like the real deal, these implants help improve the strength of your jawbone, boosting your oral health. Plus, when you care for your dental implant properly, it can last for a lifetime. So, if you notice any of the warning signs we highlighted above, we recommend getting a dental implant.
