Missing Teeth and Self-Esteem: Reclaiming Your Confidence with Dental Implants

The team at your family dental office in San Jose will try to save your natural teeth whenever possible. But sometimes, tooth extraction is called for. If you have gaps in your smile, you’ll likely notice a negative impact on your self-esteem and self-confidence. Fortunately, there are effective ways to resolve this problem. Consider talking to your dentist about whether dental implants might be right for you.

What are the other benefits of dental implants?

The boost to one’s self-confidence after receiving dental implants is a priceless gift, but there are many other benefits of replacing gaps in your smile. With missing teeth, you might notice that you have trouble biting and chewing food properly. You may also have difficulty clearly articulating your speech. Dental implants can fix all of these problems. Dental implants also support your oral health. Your teeth are integral to the health of the underlying jawbone. Each time you chew, the gentle force exerted on your teeth stimulates the development of new jawbone mass. If you have missing teeth, your jawbone can begin to deteriorate. Additionally, the remaining teeth adjacent to the gaps can begin to shift out of their proper positions. Dental implants are an effective approach to preventive oral wellness.

Are you a good candidate for dental implants?

Many people with missing teeth are good candidates for dental implants, but your dentist will need to perform an oral exam and perhaps review some x-rays. Your dentist will check whether you have sufficient jawbone mass to support the implants. If not, you may be referred to an oral surgeon. You can undergo a procedure to build up the jawbone, after which you may be a good candidate for dental implants. Additionally, good candidates are non-smokers in sound overall health who are committed to maintaining the health of the implants.

How will my dentist place the implants?

Dental implants typically take a few dentist visits to complete. First, you’ll have a consultation with the dentist to discuss the procedure. Then, your dentist will place the implant underneath the gum tissue directly into the jawbone. After this stage, you’ll need to wait a little while for the gum tissue to heal and the bone to firmly anchor the implant. Then, your dentist will place an abutment on the implant, followed by the crown. The crown looks just like a natural tooth.