Losing one of the teeth at the front of your mouth can negatively impact your quality of life. Not only will you have an embarrassing gap in your grin, but eating certain foods will be much more difficult, and you may have trouble pronouncing certain words. Obviously, you’ll want to replace a missing front tooth as soon as you can. Are dental implants a good way to do that? Here’s what you need to know when considering options to restore your smile.
Are You a Candidate for Using Dental Implants to Replace Your Front Teeth?
Dental implants are highly versatile and can be used to replace teeth anywhere in your mouth. Naturally, this includes your front teeth. However, before you can use dental implants to fill in the gap, your dentist will need to make sure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Your jaw needs to have a certain level of bone density in order to give dental implants the strength and support they need. Since there tends to be less bone around where the front teeth are located, your dentist may recommend having a bone graft performed to prepare the area for implant placement.
Furthermore, your mouth needs to be free of oral health issues like gum disease that could cause dental implants to fail. As such, you may need to undergo periodontal therapy or other preparatory procedures to restore your oral health before beginning the dental implant process.
What are the Benefits of Using Dental Implants to Replace Your Front Teeth?
There are many advantages to choosing dental implants to replace the teeth at the front of your mouth:
- Natural Appearance: The dental implant post will be completely hidden beneath your gums, and the restoration attached to it will be designed to blend in with the rest of your smile. As a result, dental implants are very lifelike, making them an excellent choice for replacing highly visible teeth.
- Enhanced Strength: Dental implants are stronger and more stable than other tooth replacement options, meaning they can be used to bite and chew virtually any food.
- Prevent Jawbone Deterioration: Without the stimulation of natural teeth, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. Since dental implants fulfill the same functions as your natural tooth roots, they can be used to preserve your jaw.
- Longevity: Unlike other types of tooth replacement, dental implants that receive proper maintenance can easily last for decades or even a lifetime.
In short, dental implants can be an excellent choice when one or more of your front teeth are missing; make sure to ask your dentist about this treatment option when you’re exploring ways to address the space in your smile.
About the Author
Dr. TJ Sprague earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. He has received advanced training in many different fields including dental implant placement. At Berkshire Dental Group in Broken Arrow, he’s able to complete the entire dental implant process in-house using the latest techniques and technology. To schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Sprague, visit his website or call (918) 250-9528.