Losing a tooth may be exciting as a child, but it’s safe to say it doesn’t have the same appeal as an adult. Adult tooth loss can happen for many reasons, including tooth decay, damage or even injury or accidents. But no matter the cause of lost teeth, missing teeth as an adult is a bigger issue than most people realize.

You might think that because a damaged tooth is no longer in your mouth you are “safe” from the root problem requiring the tooth to be removed. But believe it or not, missing a tooth can be a problem itself. In fact, losing teeth as an adult not only causes medical issues such as bone loss and deterioration, but it can also harm the self-esteem.

Chances are if you’ve lost a tooth as an adult, replacing it is a high priority, but traditionally when an adult has lost teeth, their options for replacing that tooth have been limited. There is the option of leaving the space unfilled, getting a bridge, or getting dentures or partials. But there’s a newer option that many people don’t consider: dental implants. For some, dental implants may seem unattainable or unaffordable, but as the technology has improved, their price point has come down to where they may be more affordable than you think.

So, what are the benefits of dental implants? After all, they’re not just for looks. Dental implants actually serve an important function. In addition to giving the appearance of healthy natural teeth, implants can help keep your existing teeth healthy by keeping them in alignment and helping to stop the bone loss and deterioration that is so common with missing teeth.

Here’s how dental implants work. Dr. Mazhari first implants a steel post into the jawbone to anchor the new tooth to when the time is right. The new implant is left to heal and set into the jawbone for around six weeks. Once it is healed, the fun begins and Dr. Mazhari can place your new crown on the post, creating your beautiful, healthy new smile.

Your new dental implants not only restore your healthy and beautiful smile, but they also function just like any other tooth or crown. You can brush them and chew with them just as you could with any of your natural teeth. Best of all, by filling the empty space in your mouth, they are preventing damage to your jaw and remaining healthy teeth.

To learn more about dental implants from Dr. Mazhari, please call the office at (703) 212-9622.