Your oral health matters. If you have a tooth missing, you may feel uncomfortable smiling or have trouble chewing on food. When you have a missing tooth, there are restoration options. Your dentist might suggest a dental implant, a bridge, or a partial denture, depending on what your situation is. Dental implants are permanent, while partial dentures can be taken out every night. A bridge isn't permanent, but it is generally secured into your mouth in a way that you can't take it out every night. When you want to repair missing teeth in your mouth, it's time to talk with your dentist about your restoration options.

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to create a natural looking and feeling tooth in your mouth. You don't have to do anything special with your dental implant once the process is complete. Your dentist will place a small titanium rod into your jaw, which will act as the root of your tooth. Then a crown will be created out of synthetic material and attached to the top of a crown. This process gives you a tooth that looks normal, and you brush and floss the implant like you do your other teeth. 

Issues with Getting Dental Implants

If you are a smoker, the need to get dental implants is a good reason to stop. Your dentist won't be able to provide you with a dental implant if you are a smoker. The action of smoking, the sucking and the dry mouth, don't allow the implant to heal in place. The good news is, you can quit smoking and then you will become a viable candidate for a dental implant. In addition, if you suffer from gum disease, your dentist will need to get this under control before you can get implants. Diabetics who have blood sugar levels out of control can't get implants either, because of a difficulty healing from the procedure. If you are diabetic and your blood sugar levels are good, you'll be able to get implants.

Your dentist may also suggest a bridge, which replaces missing teeth by attaching a bridge of teeth into your mouth. It's less secure than an implant, and it can cause problems with the teeth the bridge is attached to. This is a good alternative for people who are poor candidates for dental implants. If you have missing teeth in your mouth, it's time to talk with your dentist about what can be done. For more information, contact companies like Stone & Johnson Dental Group.