Marilyn Monroe once said, “A smile is the best makeup a girl could wear.”
But what if you don’t consider yourself as someone who has a great smile? What if you feel somewhat self-conscious about your teeth? One study linked a person’s perception of dental aesthetics with his psychological well-being. This, in turn, can affect self-confidence. Another study showed that dissatisfaction with dental appearance affected one’s self-esteem.
So no, wanting to have a better smile isn’t about vanity at all. And if you’ve been considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you should go for it. Of course, before you do, make sure you understand what you’re in for and what to expect from the procedure.
Dental implants are an alternative to dentures. They’re a good option for patients whose mouths cannot support dentures.
These include those who’ve had mouth cancer. They’re also perfect for folks who’ve had an accident, causing a tooth (or more of them) to get knocked out. What makes implants interesting is the materials they’re made of. Remember that an implant needs to mimic a natural tooth root.
This is why the materials used for dental implants have to be compatible with a patient’s jaw. That means titanium and bone-like ceramic – materials that can fuse with the bone.
When someone says “implants”, people almost always think “surgery.” And it’s the right association to make. The only problem is people also associate the word “surgery” with “pain.”
Truth is dental implants are often less painful than a tooth extraction. Plus they offer many advantages.
For one thing, they don’t slip or shift. With dental implants, there are no potential embarrassing situations for you. You can’t say the same for removable dentures.
Dental implants are also easy to clean. You don’t need to take them out at night so you can put it in a soaking solution. Clean them as you would your natural teeth.
Another plus to think of is how implants protect the integrity of your mouth’s structure. Implants don’t need other teeth for support. And they also prevent the shifting of nearby teeth.
These make them the ideal cosmetic solution if you have missing teeth. You also don’t need to worry about chewing and speaking issues. Dental implants work almost as good as your natural teeth.
