How Dental Implants Can Impact Confidence

Dental Implants: Confidence Goes Hand in Hand with a Great SMILE!

Dental implants can help you to regain a healthy smile. An ailing tooth, a gap, or an ill-fitting bridge or denture can make people feel self-conscious, embarrassed, and even reluctant to smile. Dental implant restorations can help restore self-esteem as well as a beautiful smile, because they look and feel like natural teeth.

What’s a Dental Implant?

Today’s preferred method of tooth replacement is a dental implant. An implant is a tooth root replacement to which a crown is attached. In order for the implant to be a success, there must be a sufficient amount of healthy jawbone to anchor the implant. Moreover, the adjacent gums and teeth must be healthy. There are some health conditions that may prevent you from being a good candidate for an implant, but they are a great solution for many of our patients. Also, don’t be intimidated by the cost of a dental implant. Many patients find after their initial consultation that they are much more affordable than you thought. That’s just one of the many reasons, why implants are becoming increasingly more popular with patients:

PROS:

  • Attractive tooth replacement, functional, reliable
  • Stimulates the jaw bone 
  • An implant does not compromise the integrity of adjacent teeth
  • Lower risk of gum disease compared with a bridge

CONS

  • Dental implants are more expensive but are also more durable
  • Requires minor surgery
  • Some recovery and healing time is necessary before the permanent crown is placed

To learn more about Dental Implants at Tecumseh Ridge Dental, please visit our dental implant page

How Confidence and Oral Health are Linked

When you look in the mirror and see missing teeth and a smile that you aren’t very proud of, it takes a toll on your self-esteem. Dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth in aesthetic value and function, and they can also have an incredible impact on your self-confidence. 

At Tecumseh Ridge Dental our motto is “I LIKE YOUR SMILE” because we believe everybody should like their smile. If you have one or more missing teeth, discover how an implant can boost your confidence and improve your oral health. Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, having a space in your mouth where a tooth should be makes it harder to speak clearly or to eat, and it negatively impacts your self-confidence. 

Dental Implant Restorations look and work just like your own Teeth

Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing natural teeth because of the way they fit perfectly in your mouth and become a permanent part of your jaw. Just like natural teeth, each dental implant has its “roots” and “tooth”. The “root” is a medical-grade titanium “screw” that grows securely into your jawbone, just like a natural tooth root. 

The visible part of an implant is called the crown, and Dr. Wheatley designs it to look just like your natural tooth – or better in some cases – in size, shape, and color. Implant restorations seamlessly blend in with the natural neighboring teeth so they help improve your smile. 

Dental implant restorations function just like natural teeth, so you can enjoy your favorite foods without concern that your dental work might slip out of place. Implants are also a breeze to take care of since you brush and floss them just like you would your natural teeth. And, as a bonus, implants are not susceptible to tooth decay, so once you replace a tooth with a custom dental implant, your implant can provide a lifetime of worry-free dental treatment, as long as you maintain good oral hygiene. 

Confidence Matters

Confidence healthy smileMultiple scientific studies have shown that dissatisfaction with dental appearance is a strong predictor of low self-esteem. One 2017 study found that various dental disorders like malocclusion, anterior tooth trauma, tooth loss, and untreated decay cause a profound impact on the aesthetics and psychosocial behavior of adolescents thus, affecting their self-esteem.

Another study concluded that the self-perceived image of dental esthetics can remarkably affect an individual’s social and psychological well-being which is reflected in their behavior and can affect their self-confidence. 

Self-image and self-esteem directly influence each other—and your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. If you don’t like what you look like, it’s hard to feel good about your whole self. The reverse is also true: if you don’t value yourself, it’s hard to notice the good things and give your body the respect it deserves. Studies have shown time and time again that stronger confidence results in better performance which also affects general and mental health.

If having a less-than-dazzling smile affects how you feel about yourself in social and professional settings, it’s time to look into dental implants. Restoring your smile does so much for your oral health, as well as your overall well-being.