Are you missing one or more teeth and feel as though your smile will never be the same? Do you find your gaps embarrassing or shameful? Luckily, tooth replacement options like dental implants help you save your smile and prevent the side effects of missing teeth. With help from your Venice, FL cosmetic dentist, Dr. Clark J. Wright, you can find the answers to all of your dental implant-related 
questions.
What effects do a missing tooth have?
The most noticeable effect of a missing tooth is aesthetic. Feeling embarrassed about a missing tooth affects the way you feel about yourself. Diminished confidence and awkward social interactions can be a result of a missing tooth. Also, the bone under the missing tooth is not stimulated when the tooth is missing, making the bone atrophy, or diminish in volume. This makes chewing or even speaking more difficult and has a direct effect on bite. It also causes facial muscles to sag, causing premature aging of the face.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants replace not only your missing tooth but its root as well. Your Venice dentist implants a post, called a fixture into the bone underneath the gumline. This post integrates into the bone itself and provides a foundation for the replacement tooth, called a crown. After successful integration, your new tooth will feel and function exactly like a natural tooth. Implants reverse the effects of a missing tooth, restoring confidence, preventing bone loss and allowing normal eating, chewing and speaking.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Great candidates for dental implants have minimal bone atrophy under the socket of their missing tooth. They also have a solid at-home oral care routine which keeps their teeth healthy and free of decay. Since anesthesia and recovery time are necessary during the implant process, a good candidate is in good general health alongside good oral health.
Are there different types of dental implants?
Single implants replace one missing tooth. For patients missing all of the teeth on their upper or lower arch, All-on-4 implants are more beneficial. Rather than implanting a fixture for every missing tooth, this procedure uses four implants strategically placed throughout the arch. These implants give a full denture a sturdy base on which to attach, ensuring the denture does not move around or fall out.
For more information on dental implants, please contact Dr. Clark J Wright in Venice, FL. Call (941) 493-5923 to schedule your consultation appointment for dental implants today!