What to Know about Dental Implants
Having missing teeth can make anyone self-conscious when talking or smiling, but thankfully, dental implants can help restore confidence.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
There are many advantages of implants, such as:
- Stability
Implants don’t slip or shift; they provide the same stability as natural teeth. So, no need to be worried when chewing or speaking.
- Minimal Maintenance
Implants don’t require special care in regards to cleaning. Simply maintain your regular oral hygiene routine!
- Self-Supported
Because implants have their own (artificial) root, they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. This eliminates the loss of natural tooth structure.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
- Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. It’s important to discuss the best course of treatment with your dentist or oral surgeon.
- If you are eligible to receive a dental implant, be mindful that it requires more than just one office visit. Once the root is implanted, there will be a waiting period before the new tooth is placed.
- Though they don’t require special care, dental implants do need to be properly cared for, just like natural teeth. If you receive a dental implant, be sure to do the following:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a balanced diet, eliminating bad habits (i.e., smoking), and of course, practicing good oral hygiene.
- Avoid eating hard foods. Once again, just like natural teeth, hard foods such as ice, candy or pretzels, can be tough on your implant. Avoid hard foods so you can make your implant last a lifetime.
- Listen to your dentist. Be sure to follow care instructions provided by your dentist. This includes scheduling those follow-up visits to make sure the implant is in good shape!
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