Your smile is the first trait many people notice about you. You may feel embarrassed to show those pearly whites if you are missing one or more teeth. However, dental implants are a revolutionary way to restore your smile and regain confidence.

How a Dental Implant Works

Traditionally, the only choices you had to replace missing teeth were dentures and bridges. While they are effective, they do have drawbacks that may deter you from wanting to fix a missing tooth or teeth. Bridges aren’t always an option if you don’t have a tooth strong and healthy enough to support the crown beside it.

However, dental implants in Jacksonville, FL, allow you to replace a tooth and have a beautiful smile, even if you don’t have teeth that can act as anchor teeth.

Components of Implants

The implant is a screw-like post that our dentist places in the jaw. It acts as the tooth’s root to hold it in place. Our dentist will then place an abutment before the crown — the portion you see.

This restoration option allows you to replace as many teeth as you want. Each one may sit on its own post or multiple on a single implant, allowing your replacements to look as close to your natural teeth as possible and mimic their function.

The Implant Process

The implant process is usually multiple steps, and it begins with conducting a consultation so you know what to expect and if you qualify. If you need a gum or bone graft, our dentist will perform that procedure, allowing the site to heal before proceeding.

The next step is placing the actual implant — and sometimes the abutment — through a surgical procedure. You’ll have time to heal, and our dentist will place the abutment if it wasn’t done during the first procedure. The final step is crown placement. For this, our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, will create the crown to blend with your existing teeth or make them look natural.

Why Choose This Restoration Method

As mentioned, dental implants closely resemble your teeth. Our dentist can customize your dental implant(s) to match your original tooth color, size, and shape.

Besides dazzling everyone with your smile, you’ll speak normally and clearly because they act like your teeth, and you won’t have any slippage.

How Long Your Dental Implants Will Last

Understanding the benefits and the implant process may have you wanting to know more, like how long they’ll last. While results vary based on how well you care for your implants, you can retain your beautiful smile for 15 to 20 years or even longer.

If the post or crown becomes damaged over time, you may receive a replacement to extend the length of your results.

This means you may reap the reward of a confidence boost and improved function for a lifetime.

Caring for Your Restorations

If everything about restoring your smile with implants seems like a dream come true, you’ll want to make your investment last. Through the proper care, you can achieve just that.

Caring for your new smile is like tending to your original teeth. It requires daily flossing and brushing with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

While you can eat what you want, for the most part, some foods are best left uneaten if you want to protect your new teeth from damage, including:

• Hard candy (if biting)
• Nuts
• Raw celery and carrots
• Tough meats, i.e., steak

Regular dental visits every six months are recommended to assess the condition of your restoration(s), provide routine cleaning, and make any adjustments to ensure they retain their comfort, performance, and aesthetics.

No matter how many teeth you need to be replaced, Dr. Tiffany Shields at Smiles by Shields Dentistry in Jacksonville, Florida, can restore your confidence and full use of your teeth. With proper care, your smile renovation will look as good as it feels for many years.

Call 904-731-0777 to book your consultation today to see if dental implants can restore your smile after tooth loss.