If you’re missing a tooth, you might be wondering, “Why should I replace it?” After all, if it doesn’t bother you cosmetically, or if it’s a back molar that nobody sees anyway, you might wonder why you should go through oral surgery? The answer – tooth replacement is so much more than adding aesthetic value to your smile. More importantly, replacing a missing tooth reinstates oral function and actually prevents your jawbone from shrinking!
Having a Missing Tooth Makes It Hard to Eat Food
Your teeth are designed to help you chew whatever it is you’d like to eat. But when New York City patients are missing one or more teeth, it makes it difficult for them to enjoy their favorite foods. Replacing your missing tooth or teeth is key to restoring the oral function you’ve lost when you either lost or had to have a natural tooth removed.
But – what’s the best tooth replacement option? Dentures or partial dentures, which are available to New York City patients who are missing all or most of their teeth, provide some oral function. But, they can slip and slide when you eat, especially sticky, hard or crunchy food. Bridges, which are secured to your teeth via caps on the teeth adjacent to your missing one, can also crack and break. Only dental implants, which are designed to be permanent, allow you to eat anything you want, just as if you had your natural teeth in place.
Missing Teeth Can Cause You to Lose Jawbone Tissue
Did you know that your tooth’s natural root stimulates your jawbone tissue growth? When a tooth falls out or is removed, that stimulation is lost, and you may experience jawbone regression. Even though tooth replacement systems like dentures and bridges offer some cosmetic and functional benefits, they don’t insert anything into your jawbone. Only dental implants, which are inserted into New York City patients’ jaws, stimulate jawbone growth.
Are You Convinced that Dental Implants Are the Right Solution Yet?
Now that you know that dental implants aren’t only used for cosmetic and functional purposes, but they help to preserve your jawbone tissue, we hope that you’re convinced these built-to-be-permanent tooth solutions are the best choice for you. So, where do you go from here? Your next best step is to call Dr. Kissel’s New York City area offices at (212) 702-9088 to schedule a dental implant consultation. During this first appointment, Dr. Kissel will:
- Perform a full oral evaluation of your mouth;
- Record your complete medical history; and
- Take several X-rays to determine if you have sufficient jawbone tissue to immediately proceed with the dental implant oral surgery, or if you need a bone graft or sinus lift, first.
After he has performed these important first steps, Dr. Kissel will compile a personalized treatment plan for you, and explain to you every step of your dental implant journey.
There is a number of considerations for determining whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants and, if so, what type of dental implants are right for you. The best way for you to receive all the information you need to know about dental implants is to arrange a consultation with periodontist Dr. Kissel. During this consultation, Dr. Kissel will perform the oral examination and tests that determine what type of dental implants you are eligible for, explain the dental implant procedure to you, and answer all your questions. If you’re ready to replace your smile with natural-looking, functional dental implants, then call Dr. Kissel’s office in New York City for a consultation at (212) 702-9088 or book online.
