Missing Tooth: Call Your Restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City
Don’t Hide Your Smile … We can Restore Your Smile!
If you hide your smile or you’ve been struggling to smile with confidence, this is your opportunity to renew your smile with a tooth replacement … we want to be your Restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City! While revitalizing your smile can often make you think about teeth whitening or Invisalign invisible braces; however, dental implants are increasing in popularity because they enhance smiles and improve oral health. If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, you may think the smile of your dreams is out of reach; however, you don’t need to hide your smile anymore. The benefits of dental implants are many as they are often considered the best solution to restore your smile.
Tooth Loss is Common
There’s no reason to be ashamed of missing teeth. Tooth loss is actually quite common in all age groups. In fact, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Nearly 70% of adults aged 35 to 44 years have at least one missing tooth AND 1 in 4 people over the age of 74 are missing all of their teeth. Although early technology (if that’s what you want to call it) used materials such as ivory, human bone, and metal to replace missing teeth, today’s technology has greatly advanced in tooth replacement options.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jaw bone. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become a permanent anchor. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be made giving our patients a beautifully-finished result that is attractive, yet helps to improve chewing, maintain bone, and prevent teeth from changing positions. Dental implants can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite, as they offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth.
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Dental Implant Tooth Replacement Benefits
We love our patients to have confident smiles … the last thing we want is for you to hide your smile. That’s why we like discussing the many perks of dental implants! They not only look and feel like natural teeth, but they also provide a safe and sturdy tooth replacement that will last for many years to come. You can eat without worry and can easily keep them clean just like you would your natural teeth.
Benefits to consider:
- Permanent tooth replacement
- Dental implants fully restore a smile
- Look like your natural teeth
- Restore full function of the mouth
- Dental implants can last 20 years or more
- Comfortable bite
- Easy to keep clean, less work than dentures
- Replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth
- Boost confidence
- Benefits your oral health and overall health
- More secure than dentures
More from the exerts about dental implant tooth replacement:
- What does WebMD have to say about the Advantages of Dental Implants? Learn more HERE.
- Learn more about dental implants from The American Dental Association HERE.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
It can be easy to get used to missing teeth over time, but the reasons to replace them are many:
- A full smile gives you great confidence (another reason to not hide your smile)
- Aesthetic issues such as a sunken jaw line and aged appearance
- Gaps in-between teeth are harmful for surrounding teeth
- If you don’t fill gaps, tooth decay and plaque are more likely to develop
- Bone loss occurs
- Lose full function of the mouth
The Process of Restoring Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
Figuring out how dental implants work can be confusing, so we’re breaking down the dental implant tooth replacement process. It’s really pretty simple. Some patients can have the implants and replacement teeth placed all in one visit. While other patients might need to wait until the implant is completely integrated, up to several months, before replacement teeth can be attached to the implant. Replacing teeth with dental implants can be a lengthy process – sometimes taking a few months to fully complete, but the reward of a beautiful, long-lasting smile is worth it.
- X-rays and impressions of your teeth will be made.
- The implant will be placed. This is a surgical procedure where an anesthetic is given to eliminate pain. We will make a small incision in the gums to insert the implant into the jaw bone. This gives a sturdy post for the tooth to stay on and the jawbone around the implant will be given time to heal. What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it in place.
- Once the implant is placed, the healing process begins so your implant can fully fuse to the jawbone.
- After the healing process from the implants, an abutment is placed on the implant to prepare it for the false tooth. The abutment will support the new false tooth.
- Now your implant tooth can be placed (a custom dental crown) and your process is complete.
Note: There is a healing process that usually takes some time. However, during your healing process, your restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City may make you a temporary crown, bridge or denture to help you eat and speak normally until your permanent replacement is ready.
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
Here are five quick signs of a good candidate for dental implants:
- Good oral health hygiene habits
- Teeth and gums are in good standing health
- Patience for the process, it can take some time to be fully completed
- A non-smoker or willing to stop smoking
- Good bone density
These are common signs that your dentist will look for when considering if you’re a good dental implant candidate. Sometimes, your dentist may also look at the cause of your missing teeth. That’s why your first step will be to schedule a Smile Consultation with Dr. Anderson and his team, your Restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City.
What is a Dental Crown and How is it Used?
It’s easier than you think for your Restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City to turn a broken, cracked, or decaying tooth into a healthy, clean-looking tooth. A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that completely encircles or caps a tooth or dental implant. It also corrects your tooth and strengthens it by fitting tightly over your existing tooth. Once it’s set, it’s just like having a natural tooth.
- the final step after receiving a dental implant or root canal treatment
- needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth
- to improve the strength or appearance of teeth
- for a tooth that is severely broken down, has cracks, or has had a root canal to reinforce the tooth
Remember, your implant tooth replacement is not complete until your dental crown is placed! Dental crowns will allow your tooth to function normally again without worrying about the tooth cracking.
Related Article: Porcelain Crown Smile Makeover: Restore Your Cracked, Stained Smile
Let’s Recap … Why are Dental Implants So Popular?
Aesthetically, they look just like a healthy tooth; but they also keep the jaw bone stable. If you leave a missing tooth and don’t replace it, over time the jaw bone will disappear. Of course, this can lead to functional problems. Not to mention an aesthetic problem with your face and jaw line. Because the jaw bone is what supports your cheeks, so the loss of it can lead to small changes, such as deepening expression lines in the face, or ultimately having the look of a collapsed jaw, all causing you to take on a more aged appearance!
Dental implants allow you to be able to chew your food without issue, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. They are easier to care for too; dental implants can be cared for the same way as natural teeth, with a toothbrush and floss.
We’ve talked about a lot, but we haven’t mentioned the greatest, most life changing reason for tooth replacement with dental implants… Implants are a permanent solution and you won’t need to hide your smile any longer!
Ask any patient that had conventional dentures and decided to have dental implants placed for better support and they will tell you it was the best decision they’ve ever made!!
Related Article: Tooth Replacement Smile Makeover: Are You Ready to Enhance Your Smile?
Customized Restorative Dentistry that is Best for YOU
If you are interested in tooth replacement, it’s a good idea to discuss it carefully with Dr. Anderson and his Restorative Downtown Dentist Kansas City Team first. If you are in good general health, dental implants or one of our other tooth replacement options should be a good fit for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing and patients with these issues may not be good candidates for certain replacement options. Remember, using tobacco can also slow healing, regardless of which type of treatment you decide on.
Schedule a consultation with an implant expert at the offices of Thomas L. Anderson, DDS and Associates to see if you are a dental implant candidate for our implant technology. It might be the perfect remedy to preserve a youthful appearance and restore the function of your bite, so you don’t have to hide your smile anymore.
Contact us today to schedule your dental appointment and meet with our skilled dentists at one of our three conveniently located dental office locations within the Kansas City area, including Lee’s Summit / Independence, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City. The gentle dentists and expert team at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates look forward to working with you to treat your dental emergency, achieve proper oral health and a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to review your policy! Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment and become part of our dental family.