Does your smile affect your self-esteem?
Smiles are outward expressions of feelings and a beautiful smile can boost self-confidence. For some, though, smiles cause embarrassment. Missing teeth often cause people to shy away from smiling or to hide behind their hands while they talk. If you feel your self-esteem could use a lift, San Mateo Center for Cosmetic Dentistry has a natural looking and durable solution: dental implants.
But first, here’s a little dental anatomy to help illustrate. Teeth are more than what you see above the gum line; the bottom part of each tooth is called the root, and it’s embedded in the jawbone to serve as an anchor. Now, think of an implant as a replacement root; it’s a cylinder-like post that is also anchored in the jawbone.
Here’s how it works.
The titanium implant, or post, is placed in your jaw by an oral surgeon. After a few weeks of healing, the post fuses with the bone and surrounding gums to anchor in.
Now replacement teeth, whether a crown, bridge or dentures, can be mounted on the post. Your new teeth are securely anchored to your jawbone and will look and feel like natural teeth. They won’t slip or shift.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
While removable dentures and bridges are the conventional way to replace missing teeth, dental implants are more comfortable and permanent. Poor fitting dentures that slip may cause discomfort when eating or garbled speech when talking.
Dental implants keep dentures and bridges in place, at all times, without the need to use messy adhesives. They are strong, long-lasting and easy to maintain.
Are you a candidate for dental implants?
If you are considering implants to replace missing teeth, Dr. Michael Wong, the best cosmetic dentist in San Mateo, will determine if you’re a good candidate. You must have adequate bone support and healthy gums for consideration, along with a commitment to good oral hygiene to ensure the health of your implants.
Then get ready to show off your new smile!