If you have missing teeth, you aren’t alone. About 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth.
At 54th Street Dental, Dr. Meriem Boukadoum has helped many patients feel more confident about their smile by using dental implants. Dental implants offer an exciting option for people with missing teeth.
In the past, dentures and bridges offered the only options for people with missing teeth, but they have some disadvantages that implants don’t have. In fact, most experts agree that dental implants are the best replacement option for missing teeth.
Are you considering replacing a missing tooth or teeth? Here are some of the many benefits of dental implants you may not know about.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that’s permanently placed into your jaw. When you have an implant, Dr. Boukadoum surgically implants a titanium screw into your jawbone beneath your gum line. After your jawbone bonds to the screw, she attaches an abutment, and onto that a custom-made artificial tooth, which is known as a crown.
Dentures and bridges can get in the way of good oral health because they can make it more difficult for you to remove food and bacteria through brushing and flossing. This can lead to a higher risk of gum disease, which can result in gum problems such as bleeding, swelling, infection, inflammation, and further tooth loss.
Dental implants are as easy to brush and floss as your natural teeth.
Most people with bridges or dentures must avoid foods that can get caught in them, such as nuts, seeds, popcorn, corn on the cob, and raspberries, to name a few. Some raw fruits and vegetables may also be difficult to eat.
With implants, you don’t have to hold back on the foods that can get stuck under bridges or dentures. You can eat whatever you normally eat.
At 54th Street Dental, we can ensure that your dental implants are completely comfortable. Unlike dentures, dental implants truly become part of your jaw and mouth. Patients report that implants feel like natural teeth.
If you’ve been missing one or more of your teeth for a while, you may feel self-conscious about how you look or speak. Or if you have dentures or bridges, you may feel that they call unwanted attention to you. When bridges or dentures don’t fit well, they may cause a speech impediment.
Dental implants can reverse the self-consciousness you feel because of missing teeth or poorly fitted dental work. As a result, you may feel more confident at work, in social situations, and with family. The artificial teeth you receive with your dental implants look real and are specially custom-designed to match your current teeth.
If you have questions about dental implants, or if you’d like to schedule a consultation to find out whether a dental implant is right for you, call 54th Street Dental at 212-333-3200. You can also request an appointment using our convenient online booking tool.
