Many people with missing teeth wonder if they will be able to enjoy their favorite foods again, especially foods like hard fruits or corn on the cob. With dentures, enjoying these foods can be difficult. However, with dental implants, you do not have to change your eating habits.
Dental Implants and Your Diet
Dental implants are different from dentures in many ways. One of the most significant ways is that they remain stationary in your mouth. You can eat foods like corn on the cob or fresh apples without dislodging your teeth. You also don’t have to worry about your teeth shifting or falling out while you are talking. A dental implant either anchors a single prosthetic tooth, or a few implants can anchor a full denture.
This feature of dental implants means you do not have to modify your diet after you receive your prosthetic teeth. You also don’t have to change the way you eat. With dentures, it is helpful to have the same amount of food on each side of your mouth as you chew to keep from dislodging one side of the denture. With implants or a denture anchored with implants, this is not necessary.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants are usually placed in a two-step process. Your implant dentist will consult with you about the best approach to take for your specific needs. It’s possible that you might need to have a bone graft to shore up your jawbone so it will support the implant. If a graft is required, this procedure will be done before the implants are set in place.
The implants themselves are placed directly in the jawbone, and then they must heal for a short period of time before the permanent prosthetic teeth are added. This allows the bone to bond to the implant, ensuring that your new teeth will stay stationary and that your jawbone will experience normal growth.
To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, contact the office of Dr. John Withers at (940) 293-2635.