Missing teeth, no matter where they are within your mouth, can take a toll on your physical and mental health. The inability to eat and speak can be hard enough, but when the visible portions of your smile lack essential teeth, it can be embarrassing. Dentures and dental bridges offer helpful benefits, but dental implants are known for their longevity and function. If you’re looking to find out whether these prosthetics can replace your front teeth, keep reading.
How Versatile are Dental Implants?
When considering dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you likely understand that they are ideal if you want a permanent solution that doesn’t require regular replacement over time.
Their versatility allows them to replace one, multiple, and all missing teeth, which means that even those once located toward the front of your mouth (the most visible area) can also enjoy the benefits of dental implants.
One important thing to remember, though, is that you must find someone who is trained and capable of providing dental implant placement and producing successful, natural results.
Is the Process of Receiving Dental Implants for Front Teeth Different Than When Replacing Other Teeth?
No, there is virtually no difference when it comes to the actual surgical placement of dental implants for front teeth.
Once the implants are positioned within the jawbone, they’ll need time to heal and fuse with the surrounding bone tissues – a process known as osseointegration. This can typically take 4-6 months to complete. At this time, a metal abutment is then put into place over the implant post so that the restoration will attach securely.
When the implant crown is returned to your dentist’s office, you will go in and have it attached to your dental implant so that your smile is finally complete.
Why Replace a Front Tooth with Dental Implants?
Apart from the fact that dental implants can potentially last a lifetime, they also allow teeth to function normally. These two benefits alone are often enough for patients to eagerly begin the process of obtaining dental implants; however, there are other reasons you might choose these permanent prosthetics to replace your missing front teeth, such as:
- Greater aesthetics because you now have a complete smile that is visible to others.
- More jawbone stimulation that helps to minimize the potential for facial sagging or collapse.
- A reduced risk of dental drift, which can occur after losing one or more teeth and puts patients at risk for needing orthodontic treatment.
- Greater confidence in the way you look and feel.
When it comes to the visible portions of your smile, you want to make sure it receives the best possible care. Opting for dental implants to replace one or more of your pearly whites will give you the best chance to enjoy life with a longer-lasting smile.
About the Author
Dr. Gaurav Tyagi is a dentist in Dallas who completed his dental degree at the University of California in San Francisco in 2012. Practicing general dentistry in Dallas for seven years, he completed a residency program in prosthodontics at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey. Capable of placing dental implants and restoring smiles with custom crowns, bridges, and dentures, he helps patients see enhanced appearances that can last a lifetime. If you are missing multiple teeth and want to learn more about dental implants, let us know by contacting us at (469) 746-5582.