If you are missing one or more teeth do you avoid smiling or shy away from social and business situations or have negative feelings about the way you look? There’s no doubt that missing teeth can affect your confidence and quality of life, causing problems with speaking, chewing, and eating, and also with:
- Abnormal bite – caused from teeth shifting or drifting, which can lead to TMJ, tooth decay, gum disease and other risks.
- Jawbone deterioration (also known as facial collapse) – after the loss of a tooth, the body begins to resorb the jawbone and use the minerals in other places in the body. The longer a tooth is missing, the more bone is lost, and over time, your jaw will actually shrink causing a sunken-in look. Facial collapse can make it nearly impossible to wear dentures that fit properly.
Dental Implants: A Natural & Healthy Choice
If you would like a restorative option that looks and feels like a natural tooth and keeps your jaw strong and healthy, dental implants may be perfect for you. They can also be used to securely anchor dentures so you’ll have no more problems with loose dentures that interfere with speaking, eating and smiling.
Diagram of a dental implant
A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that takes the place of a natural tooth root and is equally as strong. When the titanium tooth root is surgically implanted in your jawbone; your body’s bone tissue naturally fuses with the titanium and creates a reliable prosthetic tooth root. A crown is then placed on the implant.
A Complete Dental Implant Procedure in One Office
In most offices, your dentist will have to refer you out to an oral surgeon to surgically place the implant. Dr. Thomas wants your implant experience to be convenient and comfortable and that is why he has pursued the training required to enable him to do complete implant placement and restoration all at his office. This eliminates the worry and stress of having to visit an unfamiliar office or dentist. It also eliminates one of the potential errors in implant placement, communication errors between the restorative dentist and surgeon. And you can be assured of a highly esthetic result – Dr. Thomas is the only accredited cosmetic dentist in central Iowa.
While dental implants can be expensive, they should be viewed as an important investment in your overall health. If you are concerned about cost, Dr. Thomas can help you plan and budget – even discussing payment options that are available to make them more affordable. When considering cost-effectiveness over time, dental implants are often the most reliable, economical and functional option for tooth replacement.
To find out more about dental implants and whether or not you are a candidate, call our office or request an appointment online.