A dental implant can help in restoring missing or damaged teeth. Losing a tooth makes it very challenging for people to eat, talk, or even smile. A dental implant is a solution that helps people regain the ability to eat and enjoy food again, just like they did before.
The Impact of Missing Teeth on Eating Habits
Missing teeth may significantly influence your eating habits. When a single or multiple teeth are missing, the ability to chew food is compromised. This can make the process of eating less pleasing and even painful in some cases. Most people with missing teeth encounter difficulties chewing hard, crunchy foods, such as apples, corn on the cob, tough pieces of meat, and so on. Therefore, this may result in the eaters avoiding or changing their eating habits, as they will prefer a diet of soft food that is easier to chew.
People chew on one side of the mouth when one has missing teeth. This makes the remaining teeth become unequally worn and causes pain in the jaw. In severe cases, even loss of several teeth may result in speech disorders, which makes it difficult to clearly speak certain words. People become less confident in social settings and become embarrassed while eating and speaking. Dental implants in SW Calgary help to restore the ability to chew properly and, thereby, help individuals regain their confidence in daily activities.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small metallic post that is inserted in the jawbone to act as the tooth root for a missing tooth. After the implant is placed, a crown (the part of the tooth that you can see) is attached to the post, restoring your tooth. Dental implants are strong and long-lasting and look and feel just like natural teeth.
How Dental Implants Restore Food Enjoyment?
Dental implants are a solution that can help restore your ability to enjoy food again. The artificial roots are made similar to a natural tooth. They are placed inside the jawbone to secure a bond with the bone.
A crown is then attached after healing, making it look and feel like one’s own natural teeth. This restores full chewing capacity to the individual and allows them to eat any food comfortably without discomfort.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many benefits that can make your life better:
- Improved Function: You can eat all your favourite foods again. Unlike dentures, which slide or shift around, implants remain in place, and you are free to chew without any worries. This means you can enjoy eating apples, corn on the cob, and steak, which people with dentures tend to avoid.
- Long-lasting: If maintained well, they can last a lifetime. As such, they will last a number of years without the need to replace them. Thus, they are more effective in the long term than bridges or dentures.
- Better Appearance: The implants resemble the natural teeth. They do match with the remaining teeth thus no one will know that you had any tooth replacement done.
- Preservation of Jawbone: When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it can start to shrink. Implants help to prevent this by stimulating the bone, just like natural tooth roots. This keeps your jaw strong and healthy.
- Improved Speech: Missing teeth or misplaced dentures will make your speaking less smooth. By getting dental implants, you can speak fluently without your denture moving.
Risks and Complications of Dental Implants
While dental implants are a great option for many people, there are a few risks and complications of dental implants to keep in mind:
- Infection: As with every surgery, there is a risk of infection at the site of the dental implant. To minimize the risk of infection, every aftercare instruction should be followed and all prescribed antibiotics should be taken.
- Nerve Damage: The nerves present in the jaw might get damaged at the time of implant placement. This might result in a general numbness or discomfort in the teeth, gums, lips, and chin.
- Implant Failure: Sometimes, the implant may not properly bond with the jawbone, which can cause it to fail. This could happen due to factors like poor bone quality or not following recovery guidelines.
- Sinus Issues: People receiving implants in the upper jaw may be at greater risk for sinus complications. Your dentist will evaluate this aspect of your treatment to ensure that it’s safe for you.
Although these risks exist, most people who get dental implants experience no troubles and are happy with their results from the treatment.
Dental Implant Recovery Tips
Recovery after dental implant surgery is as important as getting your new teeth. These are some good tips for an easy recovery.
- Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions: Your dentist will give you specific instructions for aftercare. It is necessary to follow these carefully in order to ensure the most favorable outcome from the treatment. This might include taking some medications, using ice packs, and avoiding certain foods for a while.
- Eat Soft Foods: After putting the dental implants in, for the first few days, soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and more should be consumed. As hard or chewy foods can potentially develop pressure at the implant site.
- Rest and Take Care of Your Mouth: Rest is essential in the postoperative period. Sleep well and avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Keeping your mouth clean is important, so brush your teeth gently and use an antiseptic mouthwash to prevent infection.
- Monitor for Problems: Watch for any signs of infection or complications, such as swelling, pain, or a fever. If you notice any of these signs, contact your dentist right away.
- Gradually Return to Regular Foods: Once your implants begin healing, you can gradually consume the normal food that you used to ingest before the treatment. It is just a matter of getting started slowly and gently as the implant settles in.
Eat, Smile, and Live Confidently With Implants Today!
At Cedarbrae Family Dental, we’re dedicated to providing you with quality dental care in a warm and friendly environment. Our experienced SW Calgary dentist here helps treat your smile with personalized treatments, including dental implants. We strive to make your visit as pain-free as possible while providing you with the healthy, confident smile you deserve. Call us today to regain your smile and enjoy life again!