Healthy Asians & Pacific Islanders Medical Center Logo

Why Dental Implants Are Your Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth

Aug 15, 2024
Missing teeth profoundly affect your self-esteem and oral health. Whether you’re missing one or several teeth (or even an entire row of teeth), dental implants offer a solution that closely matches your natural teeth in both function and appearance.

Roughly 178 million people are missing at least one tooth. You may think of missing teeth as an aesthetic issue, but each tooth plays an essential role in your mouth's overall function. Losing even one tooth can lead to significant problems when it comes to the health of your mouth and jaw.

Here at Tropical Dental Care, we offer dental implants as a way to replace missing teeth. For qualified patients, implants are a game-changer as they help retain the integrity and look of your smile. Read on to learn why dental implants are your best choice for replacing missing teeth.

Dental implant basics

Dental implants consist of a metal post implanted into your jawbone to replicate the lost tooth. We top this post with a crown, bridge, or dentures to give you a functional and beautiful smile. 

This implant post acts like a natural tooth root, providing a stable base for the tooth-like restoration above the gum line.

What it’s like to get dental implants

The process of getting dental implants begins with a thorough assessment of your oral health, dental history, and digital X-rays to ensure you're a good candidate. Patients with too little bone or gum disease may require treatment prior to receiving an implant.

The implant post is placed in a quick outpatient procedure. Although the healing process can take several months as your jawbone fuses around the implant, the result is a durable solution that can last indefinitely.

Why replace missing teeth

Your teeth work as a cohesive unit, each one contributing to the stability of the others. Losing a single tooth disrupts this balance, leading to several issues:

  • Uneven wear on remaining teeth
  • Alignment problems as teeth shift to fill the gap
  • Gum disease 
  • Difficulty chewing and speaking
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, like jaw pain and chronic headaches

Missing teeth can also lead to bone loss in the jaw, which affects your appearance and oral health. Bone loss can cause facial wrinkles and a sunken look, making you appear older. Additionally, it increases the risk of losing more teeth and requiring more complex procedures like bone grafting.

Dental implants offer numerous benefits

Although dental implants may require more initial effort compared to other tooth replacement options, like removable dentures, their long-term benefits are unmatched.

Dental implants not only protect your oral health and appearance but also provide a secure, natural-looking solution. They feel and function like real teeth, making them the best option for replacing missing teeth.

If you've lost some or all of your teeth, schedule a consultation at Tropical Dental Care in Tomball, Texas, to see if dental implants are right for you. Call today, or use the online tool to book.