Dental implants are considered the best way to replace missing teeth because they look, feel, and function just like the real thing. They are non-removable so you don’t have to worry about losing them and can stand up to the same pressure as their natural neighbors. Maintaining them only requires normal oral hygiene practices, and they can last for decades. They can even replace front teeth in many cases. Read on to find out about what dental implants can do for missing front teeth.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
The dental implant process begins with a titanium rod placed into the jawbone so it reaches through the empty socket. This rod fuses to the jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration, allowing the implant to mimic the natural root structure of real teeth in a way unlike other dental restorations. A titanium abutment is then secured at the gumline. An artificial tooth typically made of porcelain is then mounted over the external part of the implant, creating a realistic recreation that functions just like a natural tooth.
Who Can Receive Dental Implants for Their Front Teeth?
Dental implants replacing front teeth will work for most patients provided that the teeth and jaws are fully developed (this is usually achieved around age 18). If there is insufficient bone structure at the front of the jaw, a bone grafting treatment can sometimes reinforce the jaw enough to undergo the procedure after a few months’ recovery.
What Can I Expect While Recovering from Front Tooth Implant Surgery?
Oral surgeons can complete the procedure in a short time. Patients can expect to be able to return to normal activities by the next day. Discomfort is usually slight and easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Some patients report feeling no discomfort at all after a single tooth implant. Oral hygiene with a dental implant is the same as for a natural tooth.
Losing a front tooth can be a blow to your confidence, but dental implants can restore you to a fully functional grin. Having a smile you aren’t embarrassed to show off can prove to be a great asset in many areas of life. Replacing your missing front teeth is an investment in your future that can pay both social and professional returns.
About the Author
Dr. Deidra Harrison-McClain graduated at the top of her class with her Doctor of Dental Surgery through Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She later completed a dental residency through the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry including rotations in anesthesia, family medicine, oral surgery, emergency medicine, and operating room dentistry. Her practice provides services including general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry in addition to dental implant treatments. For more information about replacing front teeth with dental implants, contact her online or dial (615) 819-1644.