If a missing tooth is keeping you from loving your smile, you aren’t alone. An estimated 120 million American adults are missing at least one tooth, and some 32 million are missing all their teeth.
Missing teeth are certainly embarrassing, but they can also put your oral health at risk. Gaps change the way your mouth works, and missing teeth often make chewing and talking more difficult.
The good news is that you have lots of options when it comes to your oral health care. If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants could fill out your smile and enhance your oral health.
At Morita Dental, Kohei Morita, DDS, and our team specialize in dental implants. These permanent artificial teeth look and feel just like natural teeth — and a dental implant could be the solution you’ve been seeking.
Implants: a flexible dental treatment
Dental implants consist of three main parts. A titanium rod is inserted into your jawbone to create a secure base. A small attachment piece called an abutment connects the rod to the crown, which is the artificial tooth.
Dr. Morita uses implants to replace teeth almost anywhere in the mouth. They’re permanent, secure, artificial teeth that help your mouth function normally. You can get one implant, multiple implants, or even an implant-secured bridge or denture to replace a series of missing teeth.
A dental implant could be a good solution for your mouth if...
You have a missing tooth
Millions of Americans have missing teeth. Whether you lost a tooth because of decay, injury, or something else, it impacts your overall mouth function. A missing tooth puts extra strain on remaining teeth, and it also contributes to jawbone deterioration.
Replacing a missing tooth with an implant rebalances pressure when you bite and chew. It can help you speak more normally, and the implant works to stimulate healthy bone growth within your jaw.
You need an extraction
Maybe you still have all your teeth, but they aren’t in the best shape. Severely damaged or decayed teeth might be doing more harm than good, and Dr. Morita might recommend extraction.
If you need one or more teeth extracted, you may be able to have them replaced with dental implants. Replacing damaged teeth with implants helps you avoid complications like tooth pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth.
Your dental implant consultation
Implants are a customizable dental treatment. Many people with decayed or missing teeth are good candidates, and Dr. Morita can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Your consultation begins with a dental exam. We take a look at your teeth, take X-rays of your jaw, and review your health history. If you’re generally healthy and you have substantial bone mass in your jaw, we may recommend moving ahead with your dental implant procedure.
If your jaw is weaker, you might need a bone grafting procedure before getting an implant. Bone grafting builds mass in your jaw so that it can support the implant. Once you have a dental implant, bone growth naturally continues to keep the implant and your remaining teeth more secure.
Our team works with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. If you have multiple missing teeth, we talk to you about implant-supported bridgework, dentures, and other options.
It’s time to find out what a dental implant could do for your smile. Schedule your consultation online, or call Morita Dental at 408-775-7770.