Do you ever find yourself uncomfortable with your smile? Do you have missing teeth that can make eating difficult? Are you self-conscious over your smile in your selfies? The key to achieving the smile you want could be dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants, generally made of titanium, are used to restore your smile, giving you an intact look when you grin. While relatively new, dental implants have come a long way, ensuring your teeth look natural with surgical placement in the lower and upper jaw. Ultimately, implants act as anchors for fake teeth that fill in the spot a real tooth once did.

There are quite a few benefits to pursuing dental implants. The first and most obvious is that your smile will look fantastic -- just like new. Additionally, implants are a long-term solution that are not soon to fall out. Plus, you don't have to pursue dentures, allowing you to maintain the same face shape and maintenance routine. Dental implants keep your jaw bone strong and healthy as well as allow you to speak as you always have. The goal is to keep your life as "normal" as possible.

The Process of Receiving Dental Implants

There are three steps to receiving dental implants:

1. The dentist will place the implant into the jawbone.

2. The bone heals around the new implant. This is called osseointegration, and it holds the implant securely in place. Once the healing process is complete, the dentist will have you come in.

3. The artificial tooth is placed. This is called a crown, and your dentist will shape and color it to look just like the rest of your teeth.

Tips Following Dental Implant Surgery

After you receive your dental implants, it is important that you pay close attention to your diet. Avoid hard foods. Cold items and warm soup are the best meals.

The healing time for dental implants differs from person to person, so it is important to consider that what may be easy for some may not be true for you.

Risks of Dental Implants

Certain conditions, like diabetes and leukemia, may impact the way you heal following surgery. Additionally, dentists may advise that you do not use tobacco if you are considering implants, as its use can significantly slow down your body's natural healing process.

Are you interested in dental implants? Contact Tijeras Dental Service or a similar organization for more information.