Dental implants are just one of the many services we offer at Lovett Dental Heights. If you have one or more teeth missing, it can not only cause self-esteem issues but the empty spaces also can cause numerous problems with your remaining teeth. In times past, your dentist would most likely offer a removable plate that had teeth attached. In other cases, a crown may have been the preferable solution. These things are still available, but today, we offer dental implants as one of your first choices. Replacing missing teeth helps prevent many issues, and the dental implant lifespan makes it one of the most long-lasting solutions. Contact our team today at 832-767-2210 for more information today.
How Missing Teeth Cause Harm
You put your teeth through a lot. Over the years, it’s possible to take great care of your teeth and still find them giving into wear and tear. At other times, an accident may see you or a loved one losing a tooth. When you have a missing tooth or teeth, the following could happen:
- The gap in your mouth allows the remaining teeth to start shifting
- Your teeth become crooked, causing even greater despair about how your smile looks
- The crooked and missing teeth make chewing your food less effective
- Over time, this can cause digestive issues
People with missing teeth also become self-conscious and find themselves smiling less often. All of this adds up to a general feeling of unhappiness. The good news is that missing teeth can be easily fixed.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants involve a multi-part process that will have you with a full set of teeth that look like your natural ones. The dentist first implants a metal post in the jawbone. As the bone heals, it grows around this post, securing it so that it does not shift over time. Once the bone heals, an abutment is screwed into the post. This abutment has threads on both ends so that one end can screw into the post and the other end provides a place for the artificial tooth to screw in. This entire process can take several weeks and even a couple of months. It is essential that the dentist allows the mouth to heal between each step in order to enhance the durability of the final dental implant lifespan.
How Long Will a Dental Implant Last?
Dental implants are intended to be permanent. The inner parts, the post, and the abutment will last your entire life as long as you practice good oral hygiene and keep up on dental visits every six months. The length of time the tooth will last will depend a lot on how well it is taken care of. On average, teeth of this type are designed to last approximately ten to fifteen years. The placement of the tooth will help determine the length of time it lasts. Back teeth experience a greater amount of use with chewing and often don’t last as long as front teeth. If you follow proper dental cleaning and flossing procedures and visit the dentist regularly, however, you can expect your new implant to last at least ten years. If the implanted tooth needs to be replaced, you will only need to have the outer tooth replaced as the inner parts should remain durable throughout your lifetime.
Lovett Dental Heights Can Help
Don’t let a missing tooth take the shine from your beautiful smile. Contact our staff today at 832-767-2210 and make an appointment to talk with the dentist here at Lovett Dental Heights. We have all your dental needs covered, whether it is a simple cleaning or dental implants. Trust us with your smile.
