Have you ever lost a tooth and wondered whether there was a solution that could help you smile confidently, without making you self-conscious? But even more importantly, did you know that losing a tooth can cause you major problems?
Losing a tooth not only affects how you look, but also your ability to chew food properly, speak clearly, and maintain proper oral hygiene. If tooth loss is neglected, then your jawbone will begin to deteriorate, and your surrounding teeth will shift, creating even more problems for your teeth.
Fortunately, Dental Implants provide a long-term solution to restore both function and confidence in individuals’ lives. So, you can live your daily life without the constant worry of missing teeth.
Signs/Symptoms
To know whether you may be a candidate for dental implants, you first need to identify the signs.
The following are common signs: you currently have at least one missing tooth, experience difficulty chewing or biting, have discomfort with dentures, or have visible gaps that affect how you speak.
There are also other symptoms (less common) that will require dental implants; for example, loss of bone in the jaw where the tooth/teeth are missing, which changes the way your face looks and may create a sunken appearance to the face, and may cause other teeth to tilt or shift due to the space of missing teeth.
If you currently experience any of the above symptoms, consider dental implants as a permanent solution to fixing your dental condition.
Causes when a Dental Implant is Needed
There are many reasons a person may require a dental implant due to lost teeth. A common cause is the severe decay of teeth, whereby untreated cavities can weaken a tooth’s structure and lead to the need for tooth removal.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is also common and may cause loss of tooth-supporting tissue and bone over time, which ultimately leads to tooth loss. An injury to the mouth may also cause a tooth to become fractured or missing due to some sort of trauma or accident (falling, a sports injury, etc.).
Sometimes, congenitally missing teeth (hypodontia) create a space between the other teeth.
So many other reasons exist for tooth loss, including the failure of a dental restoration, such as a bridge or crown, after many years. When a dentist knows why you lost your tooth, they will be able to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
When To See A Dentist
Timing is very important to getting dental implants. Contact your dentist as soon as you suspect that you have lost a tooth or have any symptoms related to the loss of your tooth. Delaying treatment can lead to further deterioration of the jawbone, making the surgical placement of an implant more complicated and requiring multiple additional procedures, such as bone grafting.
During your initial consultation, your dentist can evaluate your situation fully and assess your oral health, bone density, and potential for dental implants.
Treatment Options
Because dental implants are permanently embedded in the jawbone and provide an authentic feeling replacement, they are widely recognised as the optimal means of replacing one or more missing teeth compared with traditional bridges or removable dentures.
The dental implant procedure starts with a thorough assessment of the jawbone to determine if it can successfully accept an implant. The next step is the surgical insertion of a titanium post into the jawbone, where the implant will act as an artificial root for your new tooth or teeth. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before an implant fuses with the underlying bone tissue. Once this has occurred, your dentist will create a customised crown that will be attached to the post, completing your restoration.
Dental implants allow you to once again chew food and speak clearly, as well as provide the structural support for your facial features, preventing reduction of jawbone density and resorption after tooth loss.
In comparison to removable dentures, dental implants do not require regular maintenance; they are permanent (unlike many dentures), and have a more natural appearance than dentures.
In addition, advancements in dental technology have allowed for increased rates of success with dental implants, leading to a confident choice for the majority of patients.
How McCallum Dental treats this condition
At McCallum Dental, we have a dedicated approach to treating patients with dental implants. Each patient is given a personalised consultation before their surgery to evaluate things like their oral health and bone structure, as well as deciding how to best move forward with their treatment. Only once all the evaluations are complete, do the dentists use advanced imaging technology and an in-depth planning phase to create the perfect surgical plan.
Once the patient arrives for surgery, they will be given a treatment plan that combines their clinical and physiological needs, as well as providing a complete explanation of their surgical treatment before the procedure. From the initial consultation through to the placement of the crown, dentists at McCallum Dental provide precise and caring, long-lasting results as part of the overall treatment plan. The primary goal of the practice is to restore not only a patient’s teeth but also a sense of confidence and improved quality of life through implant therapy.
After surgery, we will continue to provide patients with close monitoring of recovery and will provide constant guidance regarding post-treatment care to help improve healing.
In addition, our dentists also provide education on proper oral hygiene to ensure patients take care of their implant as well as all their other teeth for the lifetime of the restoration. Combining technology, skill, and patience allows us to provide implant solutions that look and function like natural teeth.
Book Appointment
Schedule an appointment to quickly begin restoring your smile through dental implants, and also help you improve your oral health, bone structure, and overall confidence by replacing your missing teeth. A consultation with our dentists can help to put together a treatment plan based on your individual needs, with the assistance of trained professionals throughout the entire process.
Whether replacing one tooth or many teeth with dental implants, McCallum Dental provides patients a safe, comfortable, and successful alternative to consider. The team of dental professionals will assist with any questions you may have, offer advice based on their experience, and provide you with support in making sure your dental implant experience is positive!
Contact us today to make your appointment and get started on your way to a better smile.
FAQ’s
Ques. 1. I just lost one of my teeth, and it’s gotten pretty awkward eating now. Is that normal, and do I need to look into getting a dental implant?
Ans: This is a common issue. When your teeth are missing, the alignment of your bite changes, and the surrounding teeth are forced to absorb more force. As a result, chewing might feel off and problematic. If this occurs, dental implants are one option you can consider to provide balance and normalcy while eating.
Ques. 2. My denture keeps coming out while talking and eating. Can a dental implant help me with this problem?
Ans: Loose-fitting dentures are often frustrating, especially as your jawbone loses density over time. Dental implants provide a more secure type of solution by either replacing single teeth or providing stability to complete dentures.
Ques. 3. I am being told that I may not have enough bone density to support an implant. Does this mean that I’m not eligible for dental implants?
Ans: Not necessarily! Bone deterioration causes a more complex scenario for implant dentistry, but it does not prevent you from possibly receiving dental implants. Grafting procedures can often build up the bone to a sufficient level to support it.
