An estimated 500,000 Americans turn to dental implants each year according to the latest reports from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Though these artificial replacements for missing natural teeth have only fairly recently made their way into the spotlight, they’ve actually been around for more than 60 years.
5 Signs You May Need Implants
Dental implants can correct a number of oral issues as millions of satisfied patients can attest; of course, they’re not suitable or even necessary in every situation. However, certain telltale signs and symptoms may be an indication that implants are needed.
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Missing Teeth:
Even one or two missing teeth can lead to issues. Gaps left behind alter a smile and can discourage smiling altogether depending on where they are. If all your natural teeth are missing, the problems only compound, potentially bringing about jaw bone loss and malnutrition while making your face appear sunken.
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Bone Loss:
Advanced gum disease, tooth loss, certain types of infections and other conditions often lead to jaw bone loss. Dentures have also been found to contribute to this issue. If not treated promptly, this problem could require bone grafts, sinus lifts and other restorative treatments. Dental implants can actually prevent bone loss by stimulating the bone tissue and helping it retain its structure.
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Loss of Functionality:
The main functions or our mouth and teeth are to properly communicate, as well as to eat and digest food. If the mouth has sustained severe trauma, due to an accident or injury, and when the mouth lacks healthy teeth and gums, it’s extremely difficult to effectively talk and chew food. Ultimately, loss of functioning is a direct result of trauma, and missing or damaged teeth; yet, it’s another major indication that implants may be needed.
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Severely Damaged Teeth:
Though crowns, fillings and bonding can repair tooth damage to an extent, some are too far gone for those measures. In these cases, they need be extracted. Implants are then necessary to replace them and prevent the bone loss and other issues caused by missing teeth.
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Frustration over Dentures:
Dentures and partials serve to replace missing teeth, but they pose their fair share of issues. They slip. As mentioned, they can lead to bone loss. Food particles work their way in between these prosthetic devices and the tender gums underneath, causing painful irritation. Adhesives are messy and not always effective. Plenty of people feel it’s just too much unnecessary trouble to deal with.
While other situations may warrant dental implants, these are the most common. If you fall into one of these categories or just want to learn more, place yourself in the capable hands of the dental practitioners at OMSH (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Houston).
Obtain Implants from Houston Experts
Dental implants are surgically inserted in the jaw bone itself, ultimately acting much like natural tooth roots. Once the bone material grows around the inserted posts and the gums heal, artificial teeth are affixed to those posts, resulting in a permanent solution to missing teeth and a fantastic smile. Studies show a success rate of more than 95 percent among those who’ve undergone this procedure in the past.
Unlike dentures and partials, dental implants don’t slip or need to be held in place by repeatedly applying adhesives; at the same time, they prevent bone loss rather than potentially causing it. Implants fill in the gaps left by tooth loss while looking and functioning just like natural teeth.
The highly trained dental practitioners of OMSH offer a wealth of experience in providing dental implants as well as other corrective oral and facial restorative solutions. To consult with some of Houston’s most experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons, call us at 832-509-4505.
