Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about smiling or eating in public because you’re missing teeth? Learn why a dental implant may be the best bet to restore your smile while improving your dental health. Dr. J. Stephen Hoard in New Bern, NC wants to explain why patients and dentists both prefer this tooth replacement option.
Understand the Need for Dental Implants
According Dr. Hoard, a dental implant offers patients with missing teeth a permanent smile restoration solution. A dental implant is simply a tiny titanium or zirconium post embedded into the jawbone onto which a dental crown is mounted. The crown — a life-like prosthetic tooth — fills in the gap left by the lost tooth to restore the appearance, health, and full functioning of your teeth.
Dental implants are often recommended by both patients and dentists because they look, feel, and work just like your natural teeth. And although the cost of dental implants may be more than other options, their many benefits make them well worth the extra money for most patients.
Dental Implants Are Convenient and Comfortable
While living with missing teeth can be difficult and embarrassing, dental implant surgery is a convenient and comfortable procedure, leaving little to no post-procedure discomfort. For most patients, the placement process is very simple but for more complex cases, the procedure can require several surgeries over several months to complete. Those patients without complications can often get same day dental implants. Thanks to advances in dental technology, same day dental implants are a possibility for many cases.
To find out if a dental implant can help your smile, you’ll first need an evaluation by a dentist. If you have a sufficient amount of healthy jawbone tissue, you can have the procedure completed immediately. If not, you will need to strengthen the bone tissue with bone graft surgeries, which can increase the cost of dental implants.
While the costs may be slightly higher than other options, dental implants do not require the periodic replacements or cause the later dental health problems that those other options can cause. Once the dental implant is placed in the jawbone, it will naturally fuse to the bone over the next few months, ensuring that the implant is stable and secure in your mouth. Once the implant site is fully healed, you will again have a complete smile that looks, acts, and feels just like your natural teeth.
How to Care For and Clean Dental Implants
It’s surprisingly easy to care for dental implants. In fact, their maintenance is the same as taking care of natural teeth. Simply follow these basic oral health guidelines:
- Brush your teeth on a daily basis
- Floss daily
- Seek treatment for any tooth grinding or clenching habit you may have
- Get regular professional check-ups and cleanings
Dental Implants in New Bern, NC
To get the dental care you deserve from a skilled and professional dentist in New Bern, contact Dr. Hoard at 252.507.0373 or schedule an appointment online today!