Are Dental Implants Right For You?

When adults crack or lose teeth, causing gaps in their smile or when they talk, they smile less and talk less. A study published in 2021 showed an association with tooth loss and depression, with depressive symptoms increasing with each tooth lost. In fact, losing ten or more teeth is comparable to having untreated major depressive disorder. Missing teeth can also impact adults economically; about 1 in 5 adults say that their teeth affect their ability to interview for a job.

Whether a tooth has cracked, broken or gone missing altogether because of an accident, health issues or lack of proper care, there are a variety of ways Comprehensive Dental Specialists can repair or replace teeth. If your tooth or teeth are damaged or weakened, Dr. Khayri Aljabi, DDS, DICOI, prosthodontist and implantologist, can remove the damaged parts of the tooth and either fill and seal the tooth or cover it with a crown.

However, when tooth damage or decay extends into the root or the underlying jawbone, your dentist will turn to dental implants. Quite simply, a dental implant is a surgically placed post that replaces the root of a damaged tooth or teeth and allows us to replace single or multiple teeth by attaching a crown to the implanted post.

Dr. Aljabi might use a dental implant to replace a tooth with root damage or to provide a long-term alternative to dentures or bridgework in the event of tooth loss. Dental implants fuse to the jawbone over time, creating a strong and stable connection for any artificial teeth. Unlike other forms of replacement teeth, implants don’t slip, make noise, or cause discomfort and damage from use. Dental implants are appropriate for patients who are missing an entire tooth or a series of teeth, have healthy gums, and have a jawbone that’s fully grown.

Dr. Aljabi will remove the damaged tooth or teeth. They will then set the post for the new tooth or teeth. Depending upon your overall health and the complexity of your unique case, we may use local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia when placing the post in the jawbone. The post will need time to fuse with the jawbone before a permanent crown can be installed; implants are different from a crown that can be cemented on to an existing tooth root, which you may have experienced with other teeth. Dr. Aljabi may place a cosmetic crown over the post while your jaw and gums heal. Your dentist will explain your restoration timeline at your consultation, as the healing time for implant posts can vary depending upon the health of your jaw, the healing of your gums and the amount of posts required.

Once the post is properly fused to the jaw, Dr. Aljabi will place a screw in the post and attach a new permanent crown. Your replacement tooth or teeth will typically consist of an amalgam of metals and porcelain or ceramic that mimic human teeth in both durability and color. Depending on which teeth are being replaced, you might consider more durable materials such as metal crowns for back teeth or cosmetic porcelain for front teeth. The unique color and tone of your neighboring teeth will be matched with your permanent porcelain crown to give you a seamless new smile.

These artificial teeth will not decay like a natural tooth, but the artificial tooth will wear over time and may need to be replaced. Fortunately, a new crown can be attached to the original surgical implant post, with no need for another post setting.

Tooth loss, for whatever reason it happens, causes a number of physical and mental health concerns. When chewing isn’t easy, eating becomes more difficult and taking in proper nutrition is less likely. When teeth are missing, the jaw can shrink, destabilizing other teeth and oral health. Missing teeth can make speaking more difficult, contributing to the self-consciousness and anxiety caused by an imperfect smile.

Our teeth play a crucial role in our overall physical and mental health. If you are missing teeth, call 815-744-1774 today to schedule a restoration consultation. Dental implant surgery will improve your health and your quality of life by providing stable, lasting and dependable replacement teeth.