A missing front tooth can negatively affect your smile. You may feel self-conscious about the gap and have trouble biting into your favorite foods. While tooth replacement options like dental bridges or dentures can fill in the space, patients and dentists recommend getting dental implants instead. They are stronger and last for decades, so that you can enjoy a rebuilt smile for longer. Read on to learn why dental implants can be your best choice for replacing a front tooth.
How Can Dental Implants Replace My Missing Front Teeth?
Many people choose dental implants to replace any of their teeth because they restore the entire dental structure. The base is a metal post that is placed and fused into your jaw, acting like a new tooth root. It gives the dental implant the durability to last a lifetime. The top of it is a restoration that looks and functions just like natural teeth. These benefits make dental implants a popular choice for replacing teeth anywhere in the mouth, including the front ones.
When Can I Get Dental Implants?
Before you can get the tooth replacement, your dentist will make sure that you qualify for it. The process for ensuring you’re a good fit involves assessing your oral and overall health, as well as measuring your jawbone density.
Dental problems like gum disease need to be addressed before dental implant placement, as bacteria can attack the implant site. If you have been missing a tooth for a while, you may have also experienced some jawbone loss. Since the dental implants are fused to your jaw, there needs to be enough density to support the restoration.
Even if you aren’t a candidate right away, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get dental implants. Your dentist will come up with a treatment plan to fix the oral health problems and/or rebuild your jawbone density with a bone graft.
Why Choose a Front Tooth Implant?
Although your front teeth may not help as much with chewing, they help in other ways, like biting and speaking. Replacing a missing front tooth with a dental implant can allow you to enjoy:
- A Renewed Smile: The restoration used in this tooth replacement option is designed to sit on the gumline, leaving you with a natural look.
- Jawbone Preservation: The dental implant post stimulates your jawbone, preventing bone loss that is common with a lost tooth.
- Stability and Comfort: You can eat and talk with confidence, as the tooth replacement is securely fixed in place.
- A Long-Lasting Solution: With proper care, dental implants can last for decades!
A missing front tooth doesn’t have to be a headache. Consider dental implants as a way to replace them, so you can enjoy their many benefits and get back to a happy, healthier smile!
About the Author
Dr. Jodi Meadvin earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. With her knowledge and over two decades of experience, you can trust Dr. Meadvin to give you a set of pearly whites that you are confident in. She partners with highly skilled dental implant specialists to provide you with results that look entirely natural and last for years to come. If you have a missing front tooth, schedule an appointment or call us at (856) 428-8822.