Dental Implants Look Like Real Teeth
"Dental Implants are an excellent long-term solution for a missing tooth," stated Dr. Lauren Nguyen of Pinnacle Dental in the Galleria area of Houston, Texas. "Dental implants are durable, attractive, and function like a normal tooth. They can be implanted in a relatively short time period, and our Houston area patients overwhelmingly like the results."
The number of people in the United States who could benefit from a dental implant is surprising. According to recent estimates, approximately 120 million people in the United States are missing one or more natural teeth. About 30% of these people have no teeth, making them candidates for dentures. These numbers are staggering because most people have lost their teeth because of poor oral hygiene.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
- Boosts self-confidence
- Restore the natural smile
- Improve and/or maintain teeth alignment
- Improve chewing
- Improve speaking
- A more youthful appearance
- Permanently situated (not removable)
- Prevent jawbone density loss
What Is The Downside Of Dental Implants?
Any dental procedure has a small amount of risk, primarily influenced by the patient's overall health. Dental implants are an excellent solution for a missing tooth. Sometimes problems arise, such as infection, prolonged bleeding, and longer than expected bone healing. However, skilled dentists can address any dental issue that arises from a dental implant procedure.
Is A Dental Implant Worth It?
Absolutely. It is an excellent replacement for a natural tooth; most people will never know the difference. It will maintain the patient's smile and chewing motion and keep other teeth aligned. The care and cleaning of a dental implant are the same as natural teeth.
How Long Does A Dental Implant Last?
The average lifespan of a dental implant is about 25 years. However, that number can vary depending on the patient's chewing habits, oral hygiene, and overall health.
When Should You Not Get Dental Implants?
Most Houston dentists will not offer dental implants to the following categories of patients for the reasons stated below.
Children and teens
The teeth and bones are not fully mature in children and young adults. An individual's jaw is still growing until the very late teens, so most dentists will hesitate to insert an implant before full maturity surgically.
The very elderly
Generally, people over the age of 80 tend to have more chronic illnesses that could negatively impact the healing process of a dental implant procedure. There are other options for this group.
Smokers and tobacco chewers
The chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke significantly increase the risk of dental implant failure. Some of the more toxic chemicals are hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nicotine, which negatively affect blood flow and the healing process.
People with pre-existing conditions
Medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer usually dissuade a dentist from implanting an artificial tooth.
People with poor oral hygiene
People with poor oral hygiene usually develop diseases and other dental issues and are usually poor candidates for a dental implant unless they have committed to change. A dental implant will not decay or form a cavity, but the surrounding area can develop problems with poor oral hygiene.
"As a cosmetic dentist working in the Uptown and Galleria areas of Houston, Texas, I have seen patients from all walks of life. One thing they all want is a beautiful, healthy smile. A dental implant can offer a significant improvement in a person's smile. A full set of teeth and a beautiful smile radiates self-confidence and health. An attractive smile plays an important part in the happiness and well-being of a person's life. It gives my staff and me great satisfaction to see patients get more enjoyment out of life," commented Dr. Nguyen.
