Have you been having trouble chewing delicious Thanksgiving foods because of your missing teeth? Whether you’re dealing with an unreliable denture or simply leaving the gaps in your grin empty, tooth loss can really take a bite out of your overall quality of life – especially during the holiday season. Fortunately, there’s a tooth replacement option that looks and feels like your teeth never went missing at all – dental implants. Keep reading to learn what dental implants are and how they can help you get the most out of next year’s Thanksgiving and many more to follow!
What Exactly Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants go a step beyond dentures and dental bridges; they replace every single part of the missing teeth. The implant itself is a tiny post (usually made from titanium) that is surgically placed in the jaw. Over the next few months, it integrates with the jawbone, becoming just as firmly attached as the roots of the natural teeth. Then, your dentist can secure a dental crown, bridge, or denture on top of the posts, recreating the look, feel, and function of your original pearly whites.
How Can Dental Implants Improve Your Thanksgiving Experience?
When your missing teeth are replaced with dental implants, your future Thanksgivings will be leaps and bounds better. For example, you can:
- Dig into your favorite holiday foods – Denture wearers often have to avoid foods that are difficult to chew. Since dental implants restore almost all of the biting strength you had before tooth loss, you should be able to chow down on practically anything on your plate.
- Smile with confidence – When you’re visiting friends and family members you haven’t seen in a while, the last thing you want is to avoid smiling because you’re self-conscious about your lack of teeth. Dental implants will give you a full set of teeth that will restore your confidence in your grin.
- Look younger – Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants keep your jawbone strong, which prevents your facial tissues from collapsing and wrinkling. This means you can maintain a youthful glow for years or even decades to come!
Why You Should Start the Dental Implant Process Right Away
If you’re interested in getting dental implants, you should reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. It typically takes four to six months for the implants to fuse to your jawbone, and you might need to complete preparatory procedures before the implants can be placed. By beginning the treatment process right away, you can most likely enjoy a complete, reliable smile by this time next year. Schedule a dental implant consultation with your dentist today to get started toward your dream smile!
About the Author
For more than two decades, Dr. Craig R. Harder has been providing stellar dental services to patients of all ages in Moses Lake, WA. He partners with a network of experienced oral surgeons in the area to ensure his patients receive the highest-quality care possible. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, you can schedule an initial consultation by contacting Moses Lake Family Dentistry at (509) 765-4351.