Your overall health depends on your dental health. Not having teeth or having dental problems that last a long time might cause more serious problems over time, such as trouble speaking and losing jawbone. But how can you tell when it’s time to think about getting dental implants? Dental implants may be the answer to getting your confidence, function, and health back if certain symptoms are keeping you from living your best life. Below are the top 10 warning indications that you could need dental implants, along with helpful tips to help you decide what to do next.
What do dental implants do?
Dental implants are fake tooth roots, usually composed of titanium, that are surgically put into your jawbone to hold a bridge or replacement tooth. Implants are a long-lasting, permanent solution to missing or damaged teeth because they merge with the bone. Dentures and crowns do not do this. They look, feel, and work like your own teeth, which is good for both your health and your appearance.
If you have any of the following problems, it might be time to talk to a dentist about getting dental implants.
1. Not having all of your teeth
Not having a tooth isn’t simply a cosmetic issue; it can cause a chain reaction of dental complications. When you lose a tooth, the teeth around it slowly move into the space, throwing off your bite. This misalignment can lead to pain in the jaw, uneven wear, and trouble chewing. The gap can also make it easier for bacteria to grow, which can cause gum disease.
Solution: Dental implants work as a new root and tooth, keeping the right space between teeth and stopping more problems with oral health.
2. Dentures or bridges that are too loose
Do you have to keep adjusting your dentures or become angry because they don’t stay in place? If your dentures or bridges don’t fit as well as they used to, they could slip or even give you sores in your mouth. Dentures that don’t fit well are often a symptom that the jawbone density has changed, which happens a lot after losing teeth for a long time.
Solution: Dental implants give prosthetic teeth a firm, secure base, so you don’t need to use glue, and they make you feel better and more confident.
3. Serious tooth decay
If dental decay gets bad enough that the tooth can’t be saved, it may be necessary to pull it out. But if you don’t fill in that empty space, you could lose jawbone and be more likely to have more dental problems in the future. When teeth decay and are not addressed, both the look and function of the mouth suffer.
Solution: Dental implants can replace teeth that are severely deteriorated, restoring complete function and stopping neighbouring teeth from getting worse.
4. Teeth that are cracked or broken beyond repair
Crowns or veneers can typically fix small chips or cracks. But if a tooth is so badly injured that these treatments won’t work, it could need to be pulled. If you have a missing tooth or a badly damaged tooth that hasn’t been fixed, it might make your bite weaker and make it harder to chew.
Solution: Dental implants are a permanent way to replace broken teeth. They let you eat and talk normally again while keeping your jawbone strong.
5. Gum disease that causes bone loss
Periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, doesn’t simply hurt your gums; it can also hurt the bone that holds your natural teeth in place. This loss of bone makes the basis for both existing and new teeth weaker, which makes them less stable.
Solution: Dental implants encourage bone growth around the implant, stopping any additional damage and giving new teeth a strong platform. After treating gum disease, they can be used to stop harm from happening in the future.
6. Trouble chewing or talking
When your teeth don’t line up well or when you don’t have all of them, it might be hard to eat and talk. It may be tougher to digest food, and teeth that aren’t lined up right might make it hard to make some sounds, which makes communication unintelligible.
Dental implants fix the alignment of the teeth, which makes eating and talking easier and gives you more confidence.
7. Changes in the shape of the face or loss of jawbone
Your jawbone starts to shrink when teeth are gone for a long time since they aren’t being used. This can make your face look older than it is by making your features sag or giving you a more “sunken” aspect.
Solution: Osseointegration is a natural process that helps dental implants fuse with your jawbone. This helps your bones grow back and keeps your face shape over time.
8. Long-term headaches or jaw pain
If you have missing or crooked teeth, your bite may not be right, which can cause your jaw joints and muscles to tense up. This stress can lead to headaches or even worse problems, like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), over time.
Solution: Dental implants fix the symmetry of your bite, which takes stress off your jaw and makes you feel better, which can help with headaches.
9. Very sensitive teeth
Extreme sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugary foods could mean that your enamel is wearing away or that you have tooth decay. Desensitising toothpaste will frequently help with modest sensitivity, but if the pain is severe and lasts for a long time, you may need to have the tooth pulled and replaced.
Solution: Dental implants can help by replacing damaged or overly sensitive teeth with strong, natural-looking ones that make eating and drinking more comfortable.
10. You feel bad about your smile
If you don’t smile, hide your teeth when you chat, or are too embarrassed to take pictures because your teeth are missing, broken, or discoloured, dental implants can help you feel better about yourself. Getting a better grin not only makes you look better, but it also makes you feel better mentally and helps you get along with people.
The answer is that custom-made dental implants match the size, colour, and form of your own teeth, so they fit in perfectly and give you a smile you’ll be delighted to show off.
The Good Things About Dental Implants
Dental implants don’t only address one problem; they fix a lot of them and have a lot of other benefits, such as:
- Durability: If you take good care of them, implants can last a lifetime.
- Natural Look: Implants blend in with your natural teeth to give you a smooth look.
- Better Function: Get back the ability to eat, talk, and smile without thinking about it.
- Bone Health: Encourage the growth of your jawbone and stop more bone loss.
When Should You Do Something?
It’s time to do something if any of these warning indicators sound familiar. Not dealing with the problem will not only hurt your dental health; it could also hurt your general health, make things worse, and lower your quality of life.
Talk to a qualified dentist about your needs and how dental implants can change your smile and make it work again.
Make an appointment for your free consultation today.
At aestheticairways, our team of skilled specialists specialises in offering high-quality dental implants tailored to your particular needs. If you have missing teeth or persistent pain, we’re here to help you get well and feel better about yourself.
Call us today to set up your free consultation and take the first step towards getting the smile of your dreams.