You’re looking down at your dinner of sautéed carrots with a familiar feeling of…disappointment. You even took the time to glaze them to add some flavor, but it doesn’t help much. On their own, most people wouldn’t consider this a meal, but for you, it’s Wednesday night dinner. Your missing teeth make it extremely difficult to eat your favorite foods; you can’t remember the last time you had a nice big apple or bit into a juicy piece of steak. You want to be able to eat hearty food again and look forward to meals. You can start enjoying your favorites again with dental implants in Waco, TX with Premier Family Dental.
Why Should I Get Dental Implants?
Missing teeth can lead to a multitude of problems. One of the most basic is that they can make it difficult to eat. This leads many people to avoid essential foods like proteins and fibrous vegetables, simply because they can’t chew them. Over time, this lack of nutrition can drastically effect your health and cause a shorter life expectancy. Missing teeth can also lead to tissue and bone loss that can affect how your jaws fit together. This is not even mentioning the affect they can have on your confidence and self-esteem. One of the most reliable ways to restore them and ensure your future health is with dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have an advantage over traditional methods of replacing missing teeth because they can restore the entire tooth: root and crown. Other procedures only repair the tooth above gum line, leaving you vulnerable to tissue loss and jaw atrophy. Dental implants involve a new titanium root being surgically placed into your jaw. This not only provides a sturdy base for your new tooth, but can also help prevent and even reverse the tissue recession common after tooth loss. It is able to do this because titanium is bio-compatible with the human body, meaning once the root has been implanted, the body treats it like a natural root and sends nourishing blood to the surrounding area, revitalizing it. Implants are usually topped with a high-quality porcelain crown to give you a tooth that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally strong. These two elements are held together by a metal connector called an abutment.
Dental implants are one of the most versatile ways you can replace your missing teeth, as they can replace a single tooth, support a bridge, or anchor a set of dentures. Implant supported dentures actually have a better hold and allow a stronger bite force than traditional dentures. This means you can eat all kinds of foods and not have to alter your diet. Implants have a 98% success rate and can last a lifetime with regular brushing and flossing, just like natural teeth.
What Is The Procedure Like?
For most dental practices, they would need to refer you to an outside specialist in order to place your dental implants. You can imagine the logistical nightmare that is coordinating two doctor’s offices. Dr. Cofer is actually able to complete the entire procedure himself. This not only streamlines the process for you, but also gives you peace of mind because you will always be working with the same doctor you trust. This also insures you will receive better care, because no one will be more familiar with your particular situation than Dr. Cofer.
The procedure to get dental implants involves 3 basic steps:
- Dr. Cofer will place the titanium root into your jawbone
- You will be given 3-6 months to heal and allow the root to bond to your jaw
- Finally, Dr. Cofer will place the porcelain crown into your mouth
The first part of the procedure involves minor surgery, but this can usually be completed with local anesthesia and requires minimal healing time. The 3-6 month period is mostly to give the root time to bond with your jaw. Once you have the crown, there will be very little sensation in the implant itself, but it will look and function just like a natural tooth.
How Can I Get Dental Implants?
If you’re eating soft, flavorless food every day because of your missing teeth, make an appointment with your dentist in Waco, TX today. If you can’t enjoy your favorites because you aren’t able to chew them, make an appointment today. Dental implants can make mealtime pleasurable again, so please don’t wait to come see us.