Is there a gap between your teeth impacting the appearance of your smile? If so, your dentist might recommend dental implants. Implants could help you avoid dental issues in the future.
You don’t have to feel nervous about scheduling a dental implant procedure. In fact, the success rate for this procedure is 98%.
Here are seven signs you might want to consider dental implant surgery. After reading this guide, you can make a decision with your dental care in mind. You could also protect your oral health from deteriorating in the future.
1. Signs of Infection
Many patients start developing infections due to poor oral hygiene or an injury. Gingivitis that develops into periodontal disease could cause an infection, too. In some cases, the infection could spread through your bloodstream.
If it gets the chance to spread, the infection might even prove life-threatening. You might run a fever or experience swelling. Chills, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches are common, too.
Bacterial infections can cause a tooth abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus that can cause:
- Fevers
- Swelling in the face or cheek
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to the pressure when chewing or biting
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Foul-smelling or foul-tasting breath
Make sure to call your dentist if you experience these signs of a tooth abscess.
Your dentist will assess your health and determine if you have a tooth abscess or infection. They might recommend dental implants to resolve the problem. An implant might ease the pain and help you avoid complications.
Otherwise, you could risk losing the tooth or experiencing problems in the future.
2. Chipped Teeth
Unfortunately, about 20% of people suffer from trauma to their teeth at some point. Let your dentist know if you have a severely chipped tooth. A dental implant might help.
One of the great benefits of implants is they’re designed to match your natural teeth. In fact, people won’t notice you have an implant when you smile. Instead, the implant will blend in among the surrounding teeth.
If you have a severely chipped or damaged tooth, you can replace it with an implant.
Your implant will function like a natural tooth, too. In fact, they’re durable and designed to last. You can start eating your favorite foods without issue once your implant is in place.
You can also avoid speech issues as well. It will feel as though you never damaged the tooth in the first place.
If the damage isn’t too intense, discuss a dental crown instead. Sometimes, however, the damage is too severe. When a dentist can’t save the original tooth, they’ll need to extract it instead.
Then, they can fill the space with an implant.
3. Bone Loss
If you’re missing a tooth, your jawbone might miss the stimulation it needs. Your face might start to look caved-in if you’re experiencing bone loss, too.
If you notice a change in your facial appearance, consider cosmetic dentistry. Otherwise, you’ll continue experiencing bone loss over time.
Are you using dentures inside of dental implants? Unfortunately, dentures won’t promote bone growth. Your bones could continue to recede.
If your face is starting to look caved-in, it might mean you’re experiencing bone loss. Talk to your cosmetic dentist. They might recommend dental implant surgery. This surgery could give your face a natural lift, improving your appearance.
4. Dentures Don’t Fit
After some time, your dentures might no longer fit properly. You could start experiencing discomfort or pain as a result. Instead of continuing to wear dentures, consider dental implants.
Implants are more secure than dentures. Meanwhile, they’ll function and look like natural teeth. They could provide more convenience than dentures as a result.
If your dentures aren’t staying in place, consult your cosmetic dentist. Let them know you’re uncomfortable.
Implants could put an end to your gum irritation and tooth pain.
5. Difficulty Chewing
You might need dental implant surgery if you’re missing a tooth. Otherwise, you could notice a change in your ability to chew. If you’re not chewing properly, it could impact your ability to digest foods.
You might have to remove certain foods from your diet, too. Unfortunately, you might miss essential nutrients in your diet as a result.
Don’t let a missing tooth lead to malnutrition. Instead, talk to your cosmetic dentist. An implant will restore your ability to chew and digest properly. You can start enjoying your favorite foods again as a result!
In other words, you won’t have to keep steak off the menu anymore.
6. Missing Teeth
One of the main reasons people seek dental implant treatment is to replace missing teeth. If you’re missing a tooth, your existing teeth will gravitate toward the space. Your teeth might start to appear crooked as a result.
You might notice a change in your ability to chew. You could struggle to pronounce certain words, too.
If you’re missing teeth, talk to your cosmetic dentist. Your implants can fill the gaps in your smile. You can improve the appearance of your smile and restore your self-confidence in the process.
7. Jawbone Deterioration
When you’re missing teeth, your jawbone can start to recede and then deteriorate. If you’re experiencing jawbone deterioration, then let your dentist know.
Remember, the implant can fill a gap within your smile. Implants are placed directly into the jawbone, too. Your jawbone will then get the stimulation it needs.
You could avoid jaw health issues in the future. Talk to your dentist about stabilizing your jaw with dental implants and avoid potential problems.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Don’t let a gap in your smile cause dental issues down the road. Instead, keep an eye out for these signs you need dental implants. If these issues sound familiar, talk to a cosmetic dentist right away.
Eager to discuss your treatment options? We’re here to help. Request an appointment with our team today to get started.