When an adult loses a tooth to decay or through some trauma to the mouth, there is not much reason to celebrate. We don't get to put our lost teeth under our pillow and get a shiny coin, and the tooth is not replaced in a few weeks like kids' teeth. But there are alternatives for replacing a lost tooth as an adult. Dental implants are a great option for a strong, natural looking tooth and are easier to clean and take care of than bridges or dentures. Are you a candidate for dental implants?

Why Should I Get Implants

If you are an adult that has lost a tooth through trauma or damage, leaving the space open where the tooth previously was can cause the other teeth to shift to try to fill the gap. This can cause spacing, bite and cosmetic issues later on. Since implants are a permanent solution, young adults are particularly good candidates for this option. Implants are typically hard to detect once in, and most people will see them as your natural teeth unless you tell them otherwise.

As Strong As Your Natural Teeth

When a dental implant is done correctly, the results are a strong tooth that is as solid and natural as the original. The titanium post that is placed in the jaw bone is surrounded by the bone over time and the post and bone become one solid piece. The crown that is placed on the post is glued in place and will never need replacement if it is not abused or damaged through trauma.

Eating With Implants

One of the biggest benefits to dental implants over dentures is that you can eat anything you want to with them. Foods like corn on the cob or a whole apple can be tough for denture wearers because the denture often slips when biting down hard on these foods. That is not the case with dental implants, and, in fact, the ability to eat more healthy foods can even improve the overall health of the individual with implants.

Implant supported Dentures

If you have many teeth that are being removed, single implants might not be an option, but there is an option for implant supported dentures to consider. These are dentures that are attached to posts that have been implanted into the jaw similar to those that are used in single implant surgery. The system is a little different, and the denture still needs to be removed and cleaned daily, but implant supported dentures offer a much more realistic feel to eating and might be an option for some denture wearers.

For more information, contact a business such as Valley Oak Dental Group Inc.