If your smile is incomplete due to missing teeth, dental implants might be right for you. Missing teeth affect not just your confidence and the appearance of your smile, but also your oral health. Gaps in your smile can allow neighboring teeth to shift, causing misalignment in your bite and chewing, and possibly leading to jaw pain and greater build-up of plaque and tartar. Your speech can also be affected.
To prevent these issues from occurring, the gap in your smile can be filled with a dental implant. Usually made of titanium, dental implants are placed in your jawbone and capped with a temporary crown while a custom permanent crown is manufactured. During this time, your jaw will heal around the implant, anchoring it into the bone. When your dentist determines the implant is adequately anchored, your permanent crown will be put in place.
Overall, this dental implant process can take a few months, but once the implants are in place, they can last a lifetime if you maintain a good oral hygiene and see your dentist for regular checkups twice a year.
The best way to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants is to let an experienced dentist evaluate your smile. Sometimes, an alternative treatment, such as a dental bridge, might be a better option.
To find out more about your dental implant candidacy in Pittsburgh, please contact Dentonics by calling 412-487-6910 today to schedule an appointment.
