Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Smiling when you have a missing tooth can cause embarrassment, especially when you want to make a good impression or the empty space is obvious. Unfortunately, the gap can result in lowered self-esteem and make you self-conscious about your teeth when speaking or smiling. In many cases, a dental bridge or dentures are commonly recommended to replace a missing tooth. However, dentists worldwide agree that the best tooth replacement option available is dental implants. Our Okemos implant dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, shares on the blog today why so many people choose dental implants to replace their missing teeth and restore their smile’s functionality and aesthetics.
Prevent Bone Loss
Your tooth roots naturally stimulate your underlying jaw bone to keep it healthy. When a patient loses a tooth, bone stimulation no longer occurs in that specific area. As a result, the jawbone begins to break down and may eventually diminish, causing nearby teeth to drift or become crooked. Unfortunately, one missing tooth can lead to additional tooth loss unless the space is filled in with a tooth replacement.
Dental implants include a titanium post that acts like tooth roots and stimulates the jawbone. However, other treatments like dental bridges and dentures fail to address underlying bone stimulation and are less permanent options.
Proven Success Rates
Dental implants are a long-term solution with a proven 95 to 99% success rate for most patients. Patients who exhibit good oral health are the most likely to have the best success with the treatment. However, our Lansing implant dentist explains that patients with high bacteria levels or who smoke may not achieve the best success. Therefore, it’s vital to improve your oral health or stop smoking before getting dental implants.
A Natural Smile
Some patients fear having dental work that requires the dentist to match their natural tooth enamel because they’re afraid it will stick out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, dental implants include a dental crown that can match the surrounding size, shape, and color of nearby teeth, creating a seamless smile. In most cases, dental implants are undetectable by others and can boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Comfortable
Patients that choose dentures instead of dental implants sometimes complain about changes to their speech patterns, or they tell stories of an embarrassing situation when their dentures slipped or popped out unexpectedly. Furthermore, some also report sores or pinching inside their mouth, which is uncomfortable for everyday wear. Our East Lansing cosmetic dentist that offers dental implants explains that the titanium post inserted into your jawbone will fuse with the bone, making the treatment more stable, natural-looking, and comfortable compared to other treatments. Dental implants can also be used to replace dentures.
Improved Bite Force
Once your gums heal from dental surgery and the titanium post fuses with your jawbone, the procedure results in an anchor for the dental crown. Therefore, a dental implant is the most stable tooth replacement option.
Customizable Treatment
Missing teeth can happen for many reasons, including accidents, periodontal disease, or other dental damage. Whether you have a single missing tooth or need to replace multiple teeth, our Okemos cosmetic dentist can create a customized treatment plan suited to restore your smile to its original brilliance within a few visits to our office.
Dental Implants in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
People all over the world are choosing dental implants over other restorative options because of the multiple benefits they provide. However, not all missing tooth patients are the best candidates for dental implants. Therefore, to find out more information about dental implants or schedule your consultation to find out if they are the right treatment for you, please contact our Okemos dental office, Tenaglia Smiles, at (517) 347-6733 or contact us online.