I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
If you are considering options to replace missing teeth, you must learn about dental implants. Dental implants are the most effective way to replace your missing teeth because they sit in your jawbone. This makes them durable. If you think dental implants may be a good option for you, check out these three choices to learn which one is best for your smile.
Single Dental Implant
If you only have one missing tooth or a few missing teeth in different areas of your mouth, single implants are the best option. With a single implant, the titanium implant or artificial root is placed in the gum. Once the area has healed, a crown is placed on top, which looks like a real tooth. The benefit of the single dental implant is that you can floss around it like normal teeth. A single dental implant costs about $2,400 to $3,000, but the exact price depends on several factors, such as whether you need a bone graft or not.
Implant-Supported Bridge
If you have a few missing teeth in a row, you could get several single dental implants, but you'll be wasting money. Instead, consider an implant-supported bridge. Like a normal dental bridge, it uses anchors to hold the bridge in place, but instead of those anchors being teeth, they are implants. This puts less stress and wear and tear on your healthy teeth. The reason it is cheaper is because the dentist can use fewer implants than dental crowns by connecting the crowns together. You'll need special floss or floss tools to clean under the bridge.
Implant-Supported Dentures
If all your teeth are missing, there is another option: implant-supported dentures. A handful of dental implants are inserted into your gum to hold the dentures. Unlike single implants and bridge implants, they are removable, but they are more stable than traditional dentures because they snap into place with the implants. Therefore, you don't have to worry about them slipping or falling out when you laugh, eat or talk. The cost of a full set of implant-supported dentures costs about $34,119, but with proper care, implants may last the rest of your life.
Missing teeth can make you want to hide your smile, but you don't have to anymore. There are many ways to replace missing teeth, and with dental implants, you can get a durable, beautiful smile. For more information about dental implants or other dental cosmetic services, contact a dentist in your area today, such as at Laguna Hills Prosthodontics, and request a consultation.
Share14 February 2018