Our oral health and smiles aren’t necessarily top-of-mind thoughts when we get out of bed.

After all, we have bills to pay and jobs to do. Or, we’re still in school, and our heads are buried in books. Either way, daily life challenges mean our focus revolves around our responsibilities, not our teeth or smiles.

Even as cosmetic dental surgeons, we empathize with this lack of focus on your mouths. The go-go-go nature of today’s living gives us all minimal time to really look at ourselves.

Then again, when we get out of bed every morning, we all take a long look at ourselves. We all have the routine that inevitably brings us in front of a mirror.

Let us then ask–how does it make you feel when you look into the mirror and smile? Are you content with what you see? Or–do your teeth (and resulting smile) make you feel less than happy?

You aren’t alone if you’re less than satisfied with the state of your teeth and smile. An eight-year-old article from Dentistry Today suggests that over 25% of survey respondents don’t like to smile because of the condition of their teeth.

A more recent study found that 33% of middle-aged Americans are embarrassed by their teeth. However, it’s not only adults who have psychological issues with their oral health. Specifically, 35% of UK survey respondents over 12 years old and 28% over 15 felt embarrassed by their teeth and smiles.

The Power of Your Smile

When life gives you a reason to smile, you deserve to feel the empowerment of grinning ear to ear.

Moreover, your quality of life stands to benefit from smiling more often–it’s a scientific fact. After you smile, your body releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These feel-good chemicals tell your body you’re happy, drastically improving your mood.

Life doesn’t always give you reasons to smile.

Don’t get us wrong–we’re not pessimists at Good Samaritan. We’re simply aware of all our potential patients’ possible struggles, from mental health issues to more external barriers.

Still, the hurdles people face further speak to the immense power of smiling. A smile in the harshest times can give you the boost you need to push through.

At the same time, smiling helps take the good times and make them cherished memories. They can give you a sense of confidence and a hop in your step.

On a more practical level, a smile you have confidence in will make you shine in any photo. It also makes you magnetic, drawing people to you and expanding your world.

Given your smile’s immutable powers, is it time to give it a higher spot on your priority list?

Enhancing Your Smile (And Your Teeth)

Many solutions exist for fixing smiles and teeth. Some people need braces/retainers, others need to improve brushing/flossing, while many require more intensive work.

Older adults typically rely on dentures or similar alternatives because they’re missing teeth. However, two factors must be considered when discussing dentures or related solutions:

• Not everybody missing teeth is an older adult.
• Many people, including older adults, want a more durable, long-lasting option than dentures.

How Can The #1 Dental Implants West Palm Beach Offers Help With Missing Teeth?

Missing teeth cause your face to look hollow or sunken since your teeth no longer fill your mouth.

How do dental implants rectify this problem?

Given how implants get fused to your jawbone, they closely resemble natural teeth. Thus, successful implants make it seem like you’re not missing any teeth.

Moreover, implants enable you to enjoy your favorite meals and snacks while talking freely.

Better yet, you can live life without worry about smile-related embarrassment or discomfort.

At Good Samaritan Dental Implant Institute, we provide the best dental implant West Palm Beach offers.

Upon receiving your implant from our skilled cosmetic dental surgeon, you’ll reap the following benefits:

• Caring for dental implants is easy.
• They’re often a more convenient alternative to dentures:
  • While they cost more upfront, dental implants cost less than dentures long-term.
  • Since they’re easier to maintain than dentures, dental implants require fewer visits to the dentist.

• Dental implants maintain teeth, gum, and jaw health because they foster optimal bone and gum interaction while replacing missing teeth:
  • More specifically, dental implants replace/replicate missing teeth roots, preventing jawbone deterioration.
  • They also encourage bone growth in the jaw/mouth.

The Mechanics of Dental Implants

Dental implants are fused to your jaw. Thus, the artificial teeth involved in the procedure will be stabilized and stay firmly in place. Bridges can also be added to implants to enhance stability when required.

Seeing as dental implants don’t loosen or move, artificial teeth feel natural in a patient’s mouth.

It’s worth noting that implants are compatible with dental crowns.

Furthermore, receiving implants in your gums necessitates that your gums are healthy. Dental implants also require a healthy jaw. Therefore, potential patients may require bone grafts if they don’t have enough bone tissue.

What Are The Different Types Of Dental Implants?

Below, we’ll break down the two types of dental implants–endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants:

• Endosteal implants:
  • These implants get placed into the jaw bone during minor surgery.
  • Metal frames and posts get placed onto the implant after the gums have healed 100%. Then, the artificial tooth can be put in place.

• Subperiosteal implants:
  • Metal frame-constructed subperiosteal implants get placed just below the jawbone’s gum tissue.
  • Small metal posts are fixed to the frame.
  • Metal posts will be slightly visible above the gum once the implant gets installed. From there, the artificial teeth will be fixed to the metal posts.

Generally, patients can expect the dental implant procedure to take between one and two hours.

Who Are Ideal Dental Implant Candidates?

First and foremost, an ideal dental implant candidate will be missing one tooth or more–even an entire row of teeth can be replaced.

Another requirement for ideal dental implant candidates is healthy gum and adhering jaw tissue. This way, the implant can heal properly with healthier tissue and remain more firmly fixed to the jawbone after the placement.

Sound overall health is ideal for dental implant candidates to minimize procedural risks.

The next trait of an optimal dental implant candidate is more complex: good oral hygiene habits. Enhanced healing and limited surgical complications are associated with good dental health.

Let’s say a patient’s oral hygiene or related habits could be better.

Oral hygiene habits can always be improved. A willingness and a commitment to consistent brushing and flossing can make all the difference.

Candidates for dental implants must also follow post-surgery instructions from their doctor. Additionally, note this procedure entails a three-to-six-month process, and candidates must be prepared to commit.

Who ISN’T An Ideal Dental Implant Candidate?

Dental implants aren’t always the ideal solution for a patient.

For instance, pregnant women are typically advised to avoid all forms of invasive surgery and anesthesia.

People who uncontrollably grind their teeth aren’t ideal dental implant candidates. Grinding could lead to dental implant displacement. It could also cause critical growth damage because of the pressure put on the implant site.

Jaw growth might displace the implant root in children with underdeveloped jaw bone growth, meaning they aren’t ideal candidates.

Patients with severe health conditions aren’t good candidates for dental implant procedures because of potential healing issues. The same notion applies to those undergoing treatments for cancer.

Smokers aren’t the most preferred dental implant candidates since smoking is linked to bone growth and healing issues.

Lastly, candidates dealing with uncontrolled gum disease must offset their condition before dental implant surgery.

Nothing is set in stone with these rules. All patients have different circumstances and varying degrees in which these risk factors impact them.

If you want a dental implant and one of the above traits or scenarios applies, speak with your dental care provider. Even if you’re not a candidate for dental implants now, you could be in the future.

For example, improving your overall health will reduce many associated risk factors. Thus, you can become an ideal candidate.

Are you an ideal implant candidate? If so, you deserve the sure hands of the top cosmetic dental surgery West Palm Beach has to offer. Contact Good Samaritan Dental Implant Institute to learn more.

Dental Implant Maintenance.

Dental implants require less maintenance than dentures or similar alternatives.

Still, those wishing to maximize their dental implants’ benefits and overall value need to care for them. These requirements are straightforward and don’t require much effort or energy. That said, neglecting your maintenance routine will reduce the lifespan of your implants.

Maximizing your dental implants’ lifespan requires first optimizing your oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing twice daily to ensure the best possible outcome.

An interdental brush will help with brushing implants.

All smokers should put serious consideration into quitting if they receive dental implants. Smoking causes bone weakening around the implant, potentially causing an implant failure. We strongly suggest considering whether you can overcome your habit before committing to an implant procedure.

Generally, ensuring you attend twice-yearly dental check-ups will catch minor issues before they increase in severity. This includes potential problems with your implants.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

An implant screw itself can last a lifetime if you properly maintain it by following the tips in the previous section.

This permanence is due to the direct interface between the implant and jawbone. Thus, the implant bonds to all nearby bone tissue. This process is called osseointegration.

After osseointegration, the implant material fuses with the surrounding bone.

Osseointegration and the following reactions make the implant an artificial tooth root. It forms a robust prosthetic tooth foundation.

However, the crown attached to the implant might need to be replaced–even if you take good care of it. This results from long-term wear and tear. Up to 80% of crowns must be replaced within 20 years.

Finding the Most Reliable Cosmetic Dental Surgery West Palm Beach Has To Offer

Due diligence is a must before any surgery, no matter its nature. You need to trust your surgeon and know 100% the procedure is the best option for you.

So, how can you trust your cosmetic surgeon 100%?

Word of mouth is your best bet. The reviews of previous patients are concrete evidence of a surgeon’s capabilities. They’ll inform you of a cosmetic dental surgeon’s track record, letting you know if you can trust them.

Beyond reviews, most dental surgeons have their qualifications available online. You don’t need to visit their office to learn about your potential surgeon’s resume. Instead, a quick visit to their website’s Accreditations section will tell much of the story.

We’ll confidently say Good Samaritan performs the safest procedures for dental implants West Palm Beach offers. Regardless, being cautious and involved in your procedure is always the best practice.

What’s most important to us is your trust, and we’ll work diligently with you to earn it and make you feel confident in our abilities as surgeons.

Dental Implants West Palm Beach

Do you live in West Palm Beach (or a surrounding community) and want to improve your smile?

Optimal oral health is the number-one way to a confident smile. While many tools exist in dentistry to improve your smile, we specialize in one in particular at Good Samaritan: dental implant surgery.

Different solutions work for different people. The ideal approach to your improved smile could be less intensive. However, all options are worth exploring–especially when they’re as permanent and convenient as dental implant surgery.

Interested in a consultation to learn more about the top cosmetic dental surgery West Palm Beach offers? Schedule an appointment with us by filling out our form.