Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. A healthy, confident smile is something to be proud of—and working toward that smile is something to be celebrated, not hidden! Yet when it comes to dental implants, some people hesitate. Here’s a closer look at this incredible form of tooth replacement and why you shouldn’t be concerned or embarrassed at all about restoring your smile.
What Exactly Are Dental Implants?
If you’ve heard of dental implants, you might already know that they’re often referred to as the gold standard when it comes to tooth replacement. They are small, titanium posts that can be surgically placed into a patient’s jawbone in the spaces left by missing teeth.
Over the course of several months, they actually fuse with the bone tissue to form a permanent bond that’s very similar to your natural tooth root. Once fully healed, a custom-made dental restoration (usually a crown, bridge, or denture) is attached on top to replace the functional and visible portion of the teeth.
Dental implants have the potential to last for decades or even a lifetime with the right care, and impart all kinds of quality-of-life benefits to patients, including improved bite force and reduced bone resorption.
Why Getting Dental Implants Shouldn’t Embarrass You
It might be surprising to hear, but tooth loss is incredibly common and affects millions of adults across the country. It happens due to various reasons, such as unchecked tooth decay, physical trauma, gum disease, or simply the wear and tear that occurs over the years. Losing your teeth doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been making poor choices; sometimes it’s entirely out of your control.
However, not replacing lost teeth can actually spell bad news for your oral health. Your jawbone needs the stimulation of a tooth root to maintain its density. Without it, the bone in that area begins to deteriorate over time. This can change the shape of your face, making you appear older than you are, and can create complications for any future dental work.
Also, when teeth go missing, the surrounding teeth begin to drift into the empty space. This can undo years of orthodontic work, create new bite problems, and lead to additional tooth loss down the road. Furthermore, tooth loss has some other very obvious disadvantages, as it makes simple daily tasks like eating and speaking more challenging.
Taking your oral health seriously is never something to be embarrassed about. When you weigh all these consequences against the decision to do something about it, it becomes clear that investing in tooth replacement is the right move—and dental implants are the best option!
About the Practice
University Dental Group has proudly served patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding communities for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. We also offer dental implants, with the entire process being completed right here in our office. If you have any questions or you’d like to get in touch to schedule an appointment to begin addressing your tooth loss, you can call or visit us online for more information. Telephone: (508) 372-8663.