Best Implants for a Gorgeous Smile: A Comprehensive Guide
Not everyone can confidently flash a smile without a second thought. Most people with dental issues, such as missing and damaged teeth, even find this task more challenging. Fortunately, modern dentistry has evolved significantly, and you can now add a dazzling smile to your captivating physical features with tooth replacement options like dental implants. In this guide, we will discuss all you need to know about dental implants and explore some of the best implants that can help you boost your natural smile.
What are Dental Implants?
In simple words, dental implants are an artificial tooth that offers a long-lasting solution to tooth loss. In fact, research shows dental implants are 98% successful in replacing missing teeth and can last a lifetime with proper brushing, flossing, and oral hygiene.
Dental implants are tiny biocompatible titanium posts surgically inserted into your jawbone to replace a missing or damaged tooth. Interestingly, dental implants have a natural appearance. So, while they may be artificial, the good news is that over time, they merge with your jawbone so that you won't have to worry about them falling off, especially when you regularly brush and floss them.
Types of Dental Implants
While dental implants generally help with replacing missing teeth, dentists often recommend different types of dental implants depending on the position of the teeth and how tough they should be. Some of them include:
1. Endosteal Implants
This type of dental implant is more common than the others. They are placed surgically inside the jawline to ensure the jawbone does not erode over time. Endosteal implants consist of three major parts:
- The implant body is typically the main part of the implant inserted into the jawbone to serve as the foundation for the teeth. It resembles a screw, cylinder, or blade.
- The abutment connects to the implant body for added support as it holds the tooth.
- The prosthetic tooth is the crown or bridge that looks and functions like natural teeth.
Endosteal implants are for patients with high bone density and healthy oral health.
2. Subperiosteal Implants
Unlike endosteal implants, this dental implant only works well for people with insufficient bone structure in their jaw. It means you won't expect subperiosteal implants inside the jawbone like endosteal implants but fixed beneath or above the gum tissue. Hence, for this procedure, the dental surgeon will custom-make a metal framework to fit the contour of your jawbone rather than its inner part.
Other Tooth Replacement Options for Dental Implants?
Besides endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants, you may also come across zirconia implants. This type of implant is made from zirconium dioxide, a ceramic material with a tooth-like appearance. Individuals with metal allergies or those that prefer a metal-free option will benefit from zirconia implants since they are not made from traditional titanium. However, zirconia implants may not work well for everybody, especially if your bone density is low.
In addition to zirconia implants, most dental implant dentists often recommend alternative tooth replacement options like bone grafting, especially if your jawbone is not strong enough to hold dental implants.
What is the Best Implant for a Gorgeous Smile?
Technically, the choice of the "best" implants for achieving a gorgeous smile will depend on your individual dental needs, preferences, and the recommendations of your dentist or oral surgeon. If you are missing a single tooth, consider getting a single-tooth implant to fill the gap left by the missing tooth. On the other hand, if you need to replace all your teeth, consider a comprehensive restoration process.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the best implants for achieving a gorgeous smile is the density of your tooth, and consider your allergies.
As mentioned earlier, endosteal implants will work best if you have a solid bone density and practice good oral health, while a subperiosteal dental implant will be more suitable for people with low teeth density. On the other hand, consider zirconia implants if you have mental sensitivities and prefer metal-free natural-looking teeth yet artificial replacement.
Should You Consider Dental Implants for a Gorgeous Smile?
Tooth replacement options, like dental implants, can help you restore your missing and damaged teeth. They closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Hence, you can expect them to match the shape, size, and color of your existing teeth and make your smile look completely natural.
On the other hand, dental implants will merge with your jawbone, so you won't have to worry about them slipping or shifting. Dental implants also last a lifetime with proper teeth care and maintenance, unlike most tooth replacement options that require frequent adjustments and replacements.
More than this, you can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem. It offers you a natural-looking and fully functional set of teeth that allows you to smile, talk, and interact with others without feeling self-conscious about your appearance. So, if you are wondering whether you should consider tooth replacement options like dental implants so you can spot a gorgeous smile, the simple answer is yes. Just make sure to brush and floss regularly to ensure they last long.