7 Reasons Dental Implants May Be Right for You

Dental implants, the gold standard for tooth replacement.

Oh, the allure of a beautiful smile. It’s something we all want, theoretically. But if you have experienced tooth loss and are missing some of your natural teeth, your smile might not be what it once was. And that’s something that often results in frowns or closed-lipped smiles.

Here’s the thing. We want all of our patients to feel like smiling. Full complement of teeth and all. So, if you are missing teeth and are considering a smile makeover, we want you to know all about dental implants and why they’re the gold standard for tooth replacement.

1. Dental Implants Look Like Natural Teeth 

When we talk to patients about full-mouth dental implants in OKC, one concern that often comes up is how implants look. And we have good news for you. Dental implants and crowns are designed to look just like your natural teeth.

In fact, they look so natural that most people won’t have any idea you have them. Unless you tell them, of course. That said, be prepared for people to ask you what you did to get such amazing teeth. And how do you answer? Well, that’s entirely up to you. 

2. They Help Preserve Your Jawbone

We need healthy teeth to protect and preserve our jawbone. This means that tooth loss can be bad news, especially if we don’t do something about it. 

Tooth roots do more than hold your teeth in place. Every time you bite or chew, they send gentle stimulation to your jawbone. Without that stimulation, the bone in that area can begin to shrink over time. This can change the shape of your face and make future tooth replacement more complicated.

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that replaces both the visible tooth and the root beneath the gums. As a result, they help keep your jawbone active while supporting your long-term oral health. It is one more reason that tooth implants are often considered the preferred choice for replacing missing teeth.

3. They Restore Chewing Power 

Chewing food with missing teeth is no fun. For many, it’s quite uncomfortable. And if you have experienced tooth loss, you probably miss the days when you could bite into a juicy steak or a crunchy apple. 

With dental implants, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods again. Steaks, apples, bagels, caramel, and popcorn can all be yours again. In moderation, of course. This is because dental implants are anchored directly into your jawbone, creating a strong foundation for your custom crown. Unlike removable dentures that can shift while you eat, dental implants stay in place, making it much easier to bite and chew a wide variety of foods. That means you can spend less time worrying about your teeth and more time enjoying your meals.

4. Dental Implants Are Built to Last 

If you have tried dentures or even a bridge, you know that at some point; you are going to need a replacement. But that’s not the case with implants. Tooth implants are designed to last your lifetime. This means no worries about preparing for another surgery.

And the news gets better, because dental implants have a high success rate, too. This tooth replacement option has a 97% success rate after ten years. And they come with a 75% success rate at 20 years. That’s definitely something worth smiling about.

5. Tooth Implants Don’t Rely on Nearby Teeth 

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that they stand on their own. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, which often requires reshaping nearby healthy teeth to support the restoration, a dental implant is placed directly into your jawbone. That means your surrounding teeth remain untouched. By preserving healthy tooth structure, dental implants can help you maintain more of your natural smile while replacing the tooth you have lost.

6. They Support a Happy and Confident Smile

Your smile and confidence are heavily related. When you don’t like your teeth, the chances are that you aren’t going to smile as much as you would otherwise. This can work against you both in personal and professional environments.

But when you have a smile you love, you’re far more likely to share it with others. The result? You come across as more approachable and even more trustworthy. That alone is something worth smiling about.

7. Implants Work for Single or Multiple Missing Teeth 

You don’t need to be missing a full set of teeth to benefit from this tooth replacement option. Implants are a great choice whether you need just one or full-mouth dental implants in OKC.

Your treatment plan is based on your unique needs. A single implant can replace one missing tooth, while several implants can support bridges, dentures, or a full arch of replacement teeth. No matter how many teeth you are missing, there is a good chance dental implants can help you enjoy a complete smile again.

Every Smile Is Different

Are you wondering if implants are what your smile has been waiting for? Have questions about bone grafting for implants in OKC? If so, we encourage you to reach out to us to chat about our approach to implant dentistry and how it can give you the smile you’ve been missing. 

Schedule a visit today to learn more.