After losing a tooth, you may be wondering if there is any way to replace it. After all, you might not be happy with the way your smile looks now that there is a large gap between your other teeth where the missing tooth was once located. While there are a few different treatment options offered, dental implants may be the best option for you. There are more than three million people living in the United States who have successfully undergone this procedure and now have implants as replacements for missing teeth.

Why Is It a Good Idea to Get a Dental Implant?

Having a missing tooth is dangerous. Bacteria can enter the mouth on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the bacteria can cause gum infections because that area of the gums where the tooth was once located is now exposed. You could even experience gradual bone loss. Aside from these serious health problems that could arise, you may experience self-esteem issues because of the missing tooth. If you want to avoid health issues and feel confident with your smile again, consulting with a dentist about getting dental implants is the best decision to make.

What Should a Patient Expect of the Procedure?

Once you complete the consultation phase, it is important to understand that this is a process that takes time. It is not the kind of procedure you can have completed for you in just one day. The main reason you cannot get a dental implant in just one day is because the dentist will need to place a rod made of metal between the gums. The dentist must give the rod time to adjust and set with your jawbone before taking any further action, which is why this procedure may take a few months and several trips to the office.

After the incision is made and the metal rod gets inserted between the gums, you can focus on healing while the dentist focuses on creating the perfect crown for you. The crown is a custom-made piece that will look a lot like several of your other teeth. It will match those teeth in color, shape and size because everyone has a different set of teeth that are unique.

Although this is the kind of procedure that takes a few months to complete, some temporary solutions may be offered to you. For example, the dentist may be able to offer a temporary crown that you could use until the final one is ready for you.

What Are the Main Benefits of Choosing to Get a Dental Implant?

Dental implants can offer many benefits to patients. Similar to natural teeth, they are made with a strong material that helps to prevent breakage and damage from occurring. Unlike dentures that can sometimes slip around inside the mouth, the implants will stay in place. Knowing that the dental implants stay in place may make you feel more comfortable about having one of them in your mouth.

When you choose to get a dental implant, you can get a boost of confidence again because your smile will look full and healthy instead of broken and damaged. An implant can improve your overall oral health because that part of your gums will no longer be exposed to all that bacteria. Most importantly, implants can last for decades, so you might not ever need to get yours replaced if you take good care of it.

Although you may be missing a tooth at the moment, there are some permanent solutions that could solve that problem for you. A dental implant is a great replacement option for a missing tooth because it will look real, and it can stay in good condition for decades as long as you are brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth the right way. For more information, talk to a dentist like Samuel D Knight, DDS.