Whether they're due to gum disease or an accident, missing teeth can affect your appearance and make it more difficult to chew and speak. However, you don't have to live with missing teeth forever. In fact, dental implants can permanently restore your smile and improve your quality of life. Learn more about this procedure and how you may benefit from it below.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that look and function like real teeth. This makes them an excellent option for people who have lost a tooth due to decay, gum disease, or injury. Since they're surgically positioned in the jawbone, this solution is also essentially permanent.

How Are They Put In?

After you decide that dental implants are the right option for you, a dentist will construct a custom implant to fit with your existing teeth. The implant, which is a small titanium post, will then be surgically placed in your jawbone. In six to 12 weeks, the bone will grow around the post, cementing it in place. Once it's healed, your dentist will attach an abutment to the post to hold the new tooth in place before finally adding the crown.

What Are the Benefits?

The most noticeable benefit of a dental implant is a more attractive smile. These implants look just like natural teeth and can help you feel more confident about your appearance.

You can also look forward to improved speech with tooth implants. They don't move in your mouth like dentures do, which can help you speak more clearly.

Finally, dental implants make eating less of a chore. They function just like real teeth, so you can chew steak and other tough foods with ease.

If you’re interested in dental implants, turn to the professionals at Dental Distinctions in Kalispell, MT. This family practice has served the area for over 20 years and is committed to building lifelong partnerships with their patients. From routine teeth cleanings to dental implants and veneers, they provide a wide variety of services and use the latest advancements in the industry. For more information about their services, call (406) 755-4166 or visit their website.