How Dental Implants Can Boost Your Confidence and Improve Your Oral Health

Missing teeth may not only cause you discomfort and embarrassment, they can also cause a host of dental problems. If your missing teeth cause you to feel uncomfortable and even concerned for your health, dental implants can be a great way to solve the issue with a solution that’s both aesthetic and functional in nature. 

Dr. Ryan Fait, as well as the rest of our team at Southern California General & Cosmetic Dentistry, wants to make sure your mouth makes you feel happy as well as healthy. Dental implants can accomplish both of these goals, and that’s why we offer them as a treatment for missing teeth. 

All about dental implants

Dental implants can permanently replace missing teeth. You can have dental implants placed anywhere one or more teeth have been lost. Each implant is comprised of a durable, titanium post that’s implanted into your jawbone. An artificial tooth is then attached to the post. It’s created to look just like your natural teeth, matching them perfectly in color, shape, and size.

The procedure is done in two separate sessions. The implantation process requires the surgical placement of the posts into your jawbone. Then you need time to heal and allow the bone to grow around the post, fusing it in place. Then your new artificial tooth is placed on the post and your implant procedure is finished.

Improving your oral health with dental implants

According to statistics from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69% of American adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one tooth. If you’re missing a tooth or teeth, it can help to know you are not alone. Still, the commonality of missing teeth sometimes causes people to think the issue is only cosmetic, when it’s actually also tied to your oral health. 

For example, when you’re missing a tooth, everything about your oral hygiene routine changes. It might be harder for you to properly clean your teeth or keep your gums clean in the areas where teeth are missing. 

Having missing teeth can also cause adjacent teeth to shift toward the empty spots, causing misalignment. And because there’s no longer any stimulation in the empty spot where your tooth root used to be, it can also lead to bone loss in that area of your jawbone.

While some dentists might recommend dental bridges, this option is usually not as effective for one or a few missing teeth, as it requires filing down healthy teeth. Dental implants allow you to keep your natural teeth intact and avoid more problems down the line. 

Boosting your confidence with dental implants

Naturally, your oral health is our biggest concern at Southern California General & Cosmetic Dentistry, but we also care about your comfort and confidence. People who are missing teeth are often embarrassed by their smiles, which can be a sad state of affairs, as we believe all smiles are beautiful. However, when you choose to get a dental implant in order to fill the gap, your smile will look natural. 

Dental implants also fix a number of other problems related to missing teeth that can cause confidence issues. Implants can make it easier to converse with others and to eat normally. Implants are anchored securely, unlike dentures, so you won’t need to worry about them coming loose and causing an embarrassing social situation. 

In short, your dental implants will feel — and look — just like regular teeth, which will make you feel comfortable and confident. 

If you’d like to learn more about this treatment and find out if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, call our office in Long Beach, California, at 562-294-6689 or book your appointment online at your earliest convenience.