You’re probably looking for solutions for missing teeth if you’re already asking yourself, “are dental implants worth it?”. We’re used to getting the same question from patients who have lost their teeth or are going to lose a tooth soon, and we’re ready to help if you have similar concerns about the treatment. Yes, dental implants improve how your teeth work and make your smile look great again, but you’ll need to get a professional assessment first to know if you’re eligible for the treatment. 

If you’re in Ainsdale or Southport, The Village Dental & Implant Practice offers a free consultation to help you decide if implants are worth it for your missing teeth problems. We deliver calm, reassuring care to patients in the local community, and we’ll look after you if you’re unsure about the treatment and are still asking yourself, “Should I get dental implants?” 

Why get dental implants

While you’re still deciding if dental implants are worth it, you can check the benefits you can have after the treatment.

Improves how your smile looks

Dental implants attached to custom-made crowns or bridges bring back your healthy, natural-looking smile. They close the gaps caused by tooth loss, so you can smile confidently again. If you've held back from smiling in photos or catching yourself covering your mouth when you laugh, this is exactly the confidence this treatment gives back. 

Feels like real teeth 

Dentures and dental bridges fill in the gaps in your smile, but they don’t feel as natural as dental implants. They’re designed to feel and function like your natural teeth because they’re connected directly to your jawbone and not just sitting on top of your gums like removable dentures and bridges. 

Makes mealtimes easier

With dental implants, you can enjoy your food more because chewing can become easier and more comfortable. Since the implants are permanently attached to your jaw, the attached artificial teeth won’t slip and pinch your tongue or lips while you’re eating.

Helps you speak better

Other people might have a hard time understanding what you’re saying if you have missing front teeth, or if your false teeth or dental bridge keep slipping off. Dental implants work like your natural teeth, so you can speak more clearly and don’t need to worry about your teeth restoration falling out unexpectedly. 

Lasts long

One of the most common things patients want to know before committing to implants is simply: will these actually hold up? With the right care, yours can last 20 years or more. 

Protects the jawbone

Your jaw needs constant stimulation from tooth roots, and dental implants are ready to take on that long-term role. The titanium posts keep the jaw healthy, so it doesn’t weaken or become thinner after you’ve lost your natural teeth. 

Boosts your confidence

If you’ve spent time with missing teeth, you most likely experienced covering your mouth to hide the gaps in your smile. When you’re not sure what to do about your lost teeth and you keep asking yourself, are dental implants necessary, consider how this treatment can free you from feeling embarrassed every time you smile or talk to others. A dental implant attached to a crown or bridge closes the gap that makes your smile look incomplete. The treatment helps you feel confident about how your smile looks after you lose your natural teeth.  

Who can have dental implants

After you’ve said yes to the question, “Do I need dental implants?", it’s also a good idea to confirm your suitability for the treatment. We’ll do a professional assessment to verify if you’re eligible, but in general, having these qualities make you a good candidate for an implant treatment.

Healthy gums

Healthy gum tissue is required to support dental implants. Your gums should be disease-free before and during the treatment, so they can heal properly after the implants are attached to the jawbone. 

Good overall health 

You should be in generally good health to be eligible for dental implants. Health concerns that impair your body’s ability to heal, such as uncontrolled diabetes or problems with blood clotting, can result in complications for the dental implant procedure. 

Healthy jawbone

The jawbone needs to have enough width and height to stabilise dental implants. If your jawbone is already weak or thin because of tooth loss, we’ll assess if we can do a bone graft to make you a good candidate for the implant treatment. 

Fully developed jaw

Problems can develop when dental implants are placed in a jaw that’s still growing. This is because the teeth can grow or shift around the artificial tooth roots, causing bite problems and other functional issues. 

In general, dental implants are ideal for patients no younger than 18 years old, which is the typical age when the jaw has reached the fully-developed stage. There are cases, though, when a patient’s jaw continues to develop later, reaching until the 20s or 30s. This is why a professional dental assessment is crucial in determining patient suitability for implants. 

Final thoughts

Deciding to get dental implants allows you to let go of the problems that come with tooth loss. Aside from knowing the benefits and your eligibility, you also need to consider the cost and timeline involved before committing to the treatment. After a comprehensive assessment from your dentist or oral surgeon, you can make the best decision for your needs, and get a definitive answer to the question, “are dental implants worth it?”

You deserve to enjoy life without constantly worrying about tooth loss. The Village Dental & Implant Practice has been helping patients in the Southport and Ainsdale communities for over 40 years, and we’ll look after you with the same care as we help restore your healthy smile. Book your free consultation now.