If you are missing one or more teeth, it is absolutely essential that you get them taken care of. Leaving a gap in your teeth will not only affect the look of your smile, but it will also affect your overall dental and oral health. One unaddressed missing tooth can lead to bone loss, loss of more teeth and other problems. You do have a few options to replace a missing tooth, but the benefits of dental implants far outweigh those other options for most patients. Find out about your options at KC Smile in Overland Park, KS.
You Can Care for Them Like Your Natural Teeth
First of all, when you come to us at KC Smile for dental implants, after the procedure is completed and your permanent crown is installed, it will look and feel just like a natural tooth. That means that you’ll also clean and care for it just like your natural teeth. You will not have to do anything in addition to your normal dental hygiene routine to keep it healthy.
A Permanent, Natural-Looking Solution
Full and partial dentures can be fitted to your jaw and gums to replace a missing tooth, but these are not permanent solutions. With dentures, you need to take them out at night and be sure to wash and rinse them. Though modern dentures are much more comfortable and less prone to slipping than older styles, they are still much less convenient or comfortable than dental implants.
No Need to Damage Adjacent Teeth
Bridges are another permanent solution to missing teeth. However, if you opt for a bridge, Dr. Headley will have to prepare the adjacent teeth to anchor the bridge. This involves the same process as preparing a tooth for a crown, which is perfectly normal and essential for a tooth that needs a crown. However, if your adjacent teeth are perfectly healthy, you may not want to damage them. With dental implants, you can skip that step.
For more information about whether or not implants are right for you, contact us at KC Smile in Overland Park, KS. Dr. Headley is a qualified implant dentist and he would be happy to help you find the best solution for your smile. To learn more about dental implants, read our overview blog.