Although adult teeth are meant to be permanent, there are situations that can occur where a person loses a tooth or multiple teeth at an unexpected time.
When this happens, one of the best solutions for that person is a dental implant. The dental implant is a procedure that may be performed over the span of several visits to the office to replace any tooth that came out, whether it was knocked out or pulled out due to a serious infection or decay.
When Do People Need Dental Implants?
While the dental implant procedure is an optional procedure, anyone who is missing an adult tooth should consider having the procedure performed for both cosmetic and health reasons.
When you are missing a tooth, it can have a direct impact on your self-esteem. There are people who do not engage in conversations or smile in photographs because they have a low self-esteem in regards to their appearance, due to their missing teeth.
No one should have to feel that way and each person should be able to feel comfortable and confident with the smile he or she has.
While dental implants can help restore a person's confidence, they will definitely help protect the long-term health of their teeth and gums.
When a tooth is missing, the gums are more exposed to bacteria throughout the day, which could potentially lead to an infection of the gums.
Also, when you are missing teeth you have a greater chance of your other teeth shifting out of place and ending up with further dental and oral issues. Since the missing teeth are no longer offering the correct support and structure to the surrounding teeth, you have an increased chance of the surrounding teeth shifting out of place and causing further issues.
In the event of having a chipped or cracked tooth, you open up risks of getting food and debris stuck inside of the cracked tooth and causing cavities to form.
It's always best to replace a missing or cracked tooth.
What Is the Dental Implant Procedure Process Like?
If you are thinking about getting a dental implant or several dental implants, you should know that several steps must be followed to complete this procedure and it is not always completed in just one day.
Our dentists will need remove any damaged root from beneath the gums where the missing tooth was located and then insert a titanium rod into the gumline that will act as the new tooth root.
After the rod is inserted forming the new tooth root, a custom crown will be created and attached to the rod.
Using our in-office CEREC system, we're able to custom make these crowns to the exact size, shape, and color of the tooth that was lost. Our CEREC system allows us to take a digital image of your mouth, which we use to then print your new tooth in our office.
Without the CEREC system, a patient would be required to make multiple visits as a physical mold would need to be created in one of the visits and then sent off to a lab which would create the crown. The next visit the crown would be fitted and placed inside of the patient's mouth. If there were any issues with the crown that was created, additional visits may be needed.
However, using the CEREC system we are able to bypass these multiple steps and create your custom designed and natural looking crown in one office visit.
Summary
An adult’s tooth may fall out or be removed for several reasons.
- It can get knocked out in a car accident or during a fall.
- A tooth may need to get pulled out because it is badly decayed, broken, or damaged in other ways.
No matter the cause of the missing tooth, a dental implant is a great alternative replacement because it will look natural, last longer, and function the same way that a natural tooth would function in the mouth.