A healthy and attractive smile requires more than just a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and regular checkups. It also requires a little bit of luck. While the importance of dental hygiene cannot be overstated, even patients with perfect oral care can lose a tooth due to trauma, such as taking a fall, or playing sports. However, when a tooth is lost, the impact on a person’s smile can be substantial. Smiling into the mirror and seeing a gap where a tooth used to be can badly damage self-esteem.
When a tooth is lost, it’s important to get it replaced. Not only does a replacement tooth help a person feel confident about his or her appearance, it is critical for the health of the mouth. The gap where a tooth used to be can cause the remaining teeth to shift, creating pockets between teeth where bacteria can hide. It can also cause the face to droop as the mouth will be missing necessary support and stimulation of the jaw. Dr. Terry Vines of Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry of Redlands, CA, helps his patients make decisions about how to proceed when a tooth is missing.
Patients who want to replace a tooth can choose between bridges, dentures, and implants. Patients who want a permanent solution that they can undergo and forget about it, often choose the treatment option that replaces the actual root of the tooth, known as dental implants. During the implant treatment, a metal post is inserted into the jawbone and the bone is given time to heal around the post. Once the post is secure, a replacement tooth is attached, giving the appearance and the function of a complete smile.
Dr. Vines ensures that patients are informed about the treatment process and comfortable every step of the way. Anesthesia will be used during the treatments and any discomfort can be managed using over-the-counter pain medication.
Once complete, patients have a brand-new, custom-made tooth. It will be a precise match in shade and shape to the natural teeth. In fact, most patients find that friends, family, and coworkers can’t tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth. Furthermore, with the right care at home and proper follow up with your dentist, the dental implant and replacement tooth can last a lifetime.
A healthy and happy smile is important to your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about dental implants, call Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry today.