There are several reasons to consider tooth replacement. If you’re dealing with messy denture adhesives, have broken or cracked teeth, or already have missing teeth and are worried about bone loss, dental implants may be right for you.
The experienced team at Russell Street Dental Associates offers dental implants as a long-term tooth replacement solution for people who exhibit one or more of the following warning signs:
1. You have a severely cracked tooth or a broken tooth.
In general, dentists want to save as much of the existing tooth structure as possible, but in some cases, tooth extraction followed by an implant is the best way to treat cracked or broken teeth. Leaving cracked teeth alone may result in infection, as the sensitive tissues beneath the enamel are exposed to oral bacteria. Dental implants provide the appearance and functionality of natural teeth and help protect you against future problems.
2. You are missing one or more of your natural teeth.
It’s important to replace missing teeth so you can feel confident in your smile. Missing teeth can also make it harder to eat and talk, and leaves you open to additional dental problems if the site of the missing tooth did not heal properly. Implants fill in the space where the natural tooth used to be and will look and feel like the old tooth.
3. You have loose-fitting partials or a loose-fitting denture.
Loose-fitting dentures are frustrating to deal with. Implants can replace dentures as a permanent solution because they are securely placed in the mouth. No more messy dental adhesives or teeth falling out at inopportune times!
4. You are starting to experience bone loss (in the jaw area).
Replacing missing teeth is important not just for cosmetic reasons, but for the health of your jawbone as well. When we lose teeth, the jawbone actually begins to recede and risks the stability of your bite and face structure. Dental implants take the place of the root of the missing tooth, fusing naturally into the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This reduces the chance of jawbone deteriorating over time.
5. You have a sunken-in look to your facial appearance.
As jawbone recedes due to missing or decaying teeth, your facial appearance may look sunken-in. Patients who wear dentures often have this problem because dentures do not stimulate bone growth and many people lose jaw bone over time. Implants solve this problem by helping bone grow around the implant, preserving your appearance.
6. You have a tooth that cannot be saved.
Sometimes, despite your dentist’s best efforts, a severely infected or decayed tooth cannot be saved. Your dentist will determine this after a thorough examination. Most of the time, a dental implant is the best option to reduce the negative effects of tooth loss.
Dental Implants in Worcester, MA
Live in or near Worcester, MA? Call Russell Street Dental Associates for an implants consultation with one of our experienced implant dentists or schedule with us online. We look forward to helping you restore your smile!