Restore Your Smile: 5 Signs Dental Implants Are Right for You

In the Galleria area in Houston, Texas, Heather M. Wilmore, DDS, brings years of compassionate, expert dental care to every patient. One of Dr. Wilmore’s passions is helping patients restore their smile after tooth loss, and dental implants are often the optimal solution, with a success rate of over 95%.

If you’re wondering whether they’re right for you, this blog can be your guide. Here are five signs that dental implants are your best bet for restoring your smile. 

1. You have a missing tooth

Missing one or more teeth is the most common factor driving patients to discuss dental implants with Dr. Wilmore. Whether you’ve had a tooth gap for months or you have a tooth extraction coming up soon due to damage or decay, a dental implant can restore both the appearance and function of your smile by replacing that missing tooth. 

2. You have problems related to your missing tooth 

A missing tooth isn’t just cosmetic. It causes fundamental changes in your whole mouth. The gap leaves room for neighboring teeth to move. Over time, they can shift out of their proper position, which can cause not only visible tooth alignment, but also issues with chewing and even speaking clearly in some cases.

The bone that once supported the tooth roots starts shrinking once the tooth is gone. This bone loss can cause significant changes over time, including a sunken-looking face. Dental implants can restore stability and prevent further progression of these issues.

3. You have adequate jawbone

As we just noted, your jawbone plays a huge role in both tooth support and facial structure. With dental implants, metal posts essentially replace tooth roots. They take over the job of stimulating the jawbone, which ensures continual renewal and prevents shrinkage. 

If you’ve already lost a significant amount of your jawbone, you might not have adequate support for dental implants. But that doesn’t have to rule you out. Dr. Wilmore may suggest bone grafting to rebuild the thinned jawbone so you can get the dental implant you need.

4. You have healthy gums

Your gums play an equally important role in supporting dental implants. They help keep your teeth in place, and they do the same job for tooth replacements. That’s why healthy gums are so important for anyone considering a dental implant. 

If you have active gum disease, Dr. Wilmore can recommend periodontics treatments such as deep dental cleanings, antibiotic therapy, or gum flap surgery to restore healthy gums before dental implants. 

5. You want a permanent solution

There are other options for tooth restoration, including bridges and dentures. However, neither of those options offers the permanency of dental implants. 

The bottom line is that a dental implant is the closest possible option to getting your own natural tooth back, and it can be just as long-lived. With proper care and regular checkups with Dr. Wilmore, dental implants can last for decades. 

If you see yourself in these five signs, don’t wait to book your appointment. Call 713-266-4222 to learn more about dental implants with one of Houston’s top-rated implant dentistry specialists.