Should you get a dental implant soon? This is probably the first question that pops in your mind when you notice that one of your teeth is already beyond saving.
Dental implants might be the best choice to help you preserve your oral health, make you feel confident with your smile all over again, and have peace of mind even if a tooth can no longer be saved.
A lot of patients are not familiar with the process of getting dental implants and how it has become easier today compared to how things were 5 to 10 years ago. Even though it is true that there are existing short-term fixes to deal with tooth loss, none of these offer the same benefits as dental implants.
But how will you know that you should be getting an implant sooner than later? Here are some telltale signs to watch out for:
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You Have Bone Loss in the Jaw
Probably one of the most undesirable side effects of tooth loss is that your jawbone also loses bone density. Every time you go for superficial fixes such as dentures, these don’t necessarily replace the scaffolding that your natural tooth can provide. The result is a drooping or shrinking appearance. A dental implant can recreate the tooth root that can preserve the structure of the bone.
You are Tired of Using Your Partial and Full Dentures
You might have been dreaming of living your life with your smile intact all over again if you have long been finding your way through the use of a temporary fix for your missing tooth. By transitioning to dental implants, you can now finally say goodbye to removing a dental piece now and then. Most importantly, you can now drink, chew, brush, smile, and laugh with no worries at all as your implant functions in the same way as your natural teeth.
You Suffer from a Tooth Infection
For serious tooth infections, the priority is to remove the affected tooth as soon as possible to preserve not only your smile but also your health. Knowing that you will have a tooth extracted ahead of time gives you the chance to start strategizing for a dental implant. You can even have the grafting material packed during the extraction for the implant process to begin from the time you have your tooth removed.
You Have a Badly Cracked Tooth
Although the main goal of every dentist is to try preserving most of your natural tooth as much as possible, there are those instances when the tooth is already beyond saving. When this happens, they will recommend extraction.
It will help to have plans for the step you will take next after extracting your tooth. This way, you can opt to pack the gap with grafting material to form an environment amenable for a dental implant in the future. By choosing to go this route, you can make your life so much easier.