Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing MI
Maybe you’re one of the more than 36 million Americans who have lost at least one permanent tooth. Or perhaps you’re one of the millions of other Americans with teeth that have teeth that are compromised by decay or damage. When it comes to replacing lost or hopeless teeth, a dental implant stands as the ideal method of tooth replacement in restorative dentistry today. Still not convinced? Keep reading, as Okemos’ award-winning dentist Dr. Christine Tenaglia provides six reasons why her patients choose dental implants.
Reason 1) Implants function like real teeth
An implant is surgically inserted into your jawbone where the missing tooth previously resided in your mouth. During the healing process, the implant screw fuses with your jawbone, providing the same stability and durability as a natural, healthy tooth.
Reason 2) Implants improve facial structure
Over time, living with lost permanent teeth leads to jawbone deterioration. Your jawbone no longer receives the constant stimulation provided by the root of that now-missing tooth, and your body resorbs the jawbone as it slowly diminishes. The more permanent teeth you have lost, the more bone deterioration occurs, which can create a sunken-in facial appearance that makes you seem older than you really are. Implants provide the jawbone stimulation that previously came from the tooth root, helping restore the full shape of your face and mouth.
Reason 3) An implant is a one-time treatment
If you maintain a good oral hygiene regimen and follow post-op instructions from your Okemos implant dentist, it could last the rest of your life. Maintaining it is easy; you just brush and floss the implant the same way you would your natural teeth. Every other dental restoration requires some level of maintenance or even total replacement after a while. You might pay more initially for an implant, but remember that an implant shouldn’t need replacement. It gives you the most bang for your buck long term.
Reason 4) Implants feel like real teeth
Living with lost teeth or teeth that are badly damaged compromises your ability to speak and chew, also affecting your nutrition. Even certain methods of tooth replacement, such as dentures, still might limit your food options. Dentures also can slip or shift in the mouth. An implant, however, is structurally sound thanks to the implant screw that anchors it in your dental arch. And, because implants are so sturdy, you can eat whatever you want: apples, steak, you name it!
Reason 5) Implants are discreet
Once you have healed from the surgery that inserts the implant screw into your mouth, your Okemos implant dentist completes the procedure by installing a crown. Made of beautiful dental porcelain, this crown has a similar translucency to natural tooth enamel and can be matched to the shape and shade of your other existing teeth, allowing it to blend seamlessly into your smile.
Reason 6) Implants boost your confidence
If you feel good about the way your smile looks, you’ll be more likely to show it off. Conversely, having an issue with your smile, such as a missing tooth, can make you feel embarrassed to smile, have your picture taken, or even eat in front of others. When you choose a dental implant to replace your lost tooth in Lansing, you can have confidence, knowing that you chose the finest, most stable, cost-effective, durable method of tooth replacement that is currently available in dental science.
Dental Implants in Okemos
If you or a loved one is living with missing permanent teeth, we hope you find this article helpful and will consider receiving a dental implant to restore your smile. Remember, the implant installation process is a significant medical procedure and requires serious thought before committing. That’s why, at Tenaglia Smiles, we begin with a thorough exam at the onset of any implant procedure to make sure you are a good candidate. The ideal implant patient is in good overall health, does not smoke, and has enough jawbone density to provide proper support to the dental implant. Dr. Tenaglia also will go through a thorough examination that includes a CBCT scan. In short, there’s no way to know for sure if dental implants are right for you without a consultation. Find out more today by calling Tenaglia Smiles at (517) 347-6733.
Tenaglia Smiles is proud to provide implant dentistry services to our patients in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing in Michigan.