Many people who have missing teeth opt for dentures, bridge work, or implants. However, often times dentures don't feel secure, bridge work goes bad, or it just does not look and feel natural. Some people have difficulty chewing with dentures or bridge work. So what can you do? Dental implants are a great option for people missing one or more teeth that would like to smile, speak and eat again with the comfort and confidence of natural teeth. So, let's take a look at how dental implants work by reviewing some frequently asked questions and answers.

What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw. This root then holds a tooth or bridge in place. The root is made of titanium, and is secured to your jaw by being screwed in. Then as your mouth heals, the bone will attach to the titanium posts, and essentially they will act as though they are part of the jaw itself.

Why would you want a dental implant over another option?
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth, but of course, you probably want more than just my word for it, so here are some examples of how:
    Esthetic: It is important when you replace missing teeth that you like the way the replacement looks. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! What could be better esthetically? Unless you tell them, no one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
    Less bone loss or gum recession: Because of the fact that the titanium posts of your dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures.
    Tooth-saving: One of the biggest benefits is that implants stand alone, so in other words dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does. In bridge work neighboring teeth are altered to support the replacement, this is not the case with dental implants. So, basically you not only get a replacement tooth, but you also get a more long-term benefit to your oral health.
    Confidence: Missing teeth can be a big blow to your confidence, however, dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat as you did with your natural teeth. You do not have to worry about them being secure, wobbling, etc.
    Clean: With implants you are not taking anything out of your mouth, so you can forget about the worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues. You get ease, comfort, and cleanliness.
    Reliable: The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable, especially if you take the time to adequately recover, and if you maintain proper oral hygiene the chances are even better.

Who gets dental implants?
Dental implants are really the most ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. They are not for people who have lost or are losing all of their teeth, but you can speak with your dentist about your unique situation.

How will I feel after I have a dental implant?
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You will have some recovery time, you may need to take some pain killers, and you will want to practice impeccable oral hygiene, but you will love the results!

What can dental implants do for me?
    Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
    Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
    Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
    Vastly improve the quality of life for the many people who suffer from the problems associated with missing teeth.

As many people get older, they suffer from bone loss, and this is not just in their legs and hips etc. Teeth are also lost. So, how can you keep your teeth and prevent the need for dentures? The following are 5 great tips to help you keep your teeth.

1.    Start prevention now: it is not like over night your teeth suddenly get bad and you lose them. It is a gradual process. So if you want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, take good care of them now. It can be hard to think long term, but that is the first thing you must do if you intend to prevent yourself from needing dentures.
2.    Brush 2 times daily: Part of your prevention of needing dentures, that starts at the early stages is simply be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride helps to protect you against decay. While there is some fluoride in the water you drink, it is wise to also purchase fluoride enhanced toothpaste. It is also important that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and try to remember not to brush too hard. Hard bristle brushes, or too hard of pressure when brushing can cause gums to recede, which may lead to the need for dentures. So, know when you are brushing too hard, and learn how to brush properly.
3.    Floss your teeth once a day. Flossing helps to keep your teeth cavity free, but it also reduce tartar and plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease and gingivitis. When gums become unhealthy, your chances of the need for dentures greatly increases, so take a few minutes after you brush each night, and floss properly. (Mouthwash is not enough).
4.    Go to a dentist: this tip may seem pretty obvious, but it is amazing how many people know they should see a dentist and don't due to financial reasons. However, regular professional cleanings and checkups are important to your health, and a cleaning is not as expensive as a root canal, which is usually what you end up needing when you do not go in for regular dental visits. So, visit the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup. Tell the dentist if you are experiencing gum pain or swollen gums or if your gums bleed when you brush. Keeping your gums healthy, and having professional help to keep them that way is an important part of preventing the need for dentures.
5.    Don't smoke or drink. Unhealthy gums lead to tooth loss, and drinking and smoking lead to unhealthy gums. In fact, you are almost twice as likely to develop gum disease if you smoke or chew tobacco than otherwise.

If you do not lose your teeth, you won't need dentures, so use the above tips to help you to keep your teeth, and gums healthy. While it is common for children to lose their baby teeth, it is not common for adults to lose their teeth. When an adult does lose their permanent teeth, it is usually due to periodontal disease, or gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of plaque and bacteria that attacks the gums. It is very important to follow the above tips if you want to prevent the need for dentures. Also, recognize that diseased gums aren't strong and healthy, so teeth can get loose and fall out.  So, greatly reduce your risk for the need for dentures by implementing proper dental care into your life now, get your regular check ups, brush with the right toothpaste and brush, and twice daily, and make sure that even if it is a hassle that you floss. Those 15 seconds it takes to floss will save you from embarrassment, discomfort, and expense of dentures.

If your teeth fall out, get knocked out, or have severe decay, dental implants are a good option, but it is important to give your body time to recover so that they implants will work, and you will be able to sue them. The following are 5 tips for recovery after dental implants:

Tip number one: It is very important during your dental implant recovery to practice impeccable oral hygiene. Infections caused by bacteria could cause the implants to fail, or lead to gum disease and teeth shifting. So, brush at least twice daily, when you can't brush directly after eating at least swish water in your mouth, floss daily, use a mouth rinse or bacteria killing wash. While this is something you should be doing anyway, it is especially important during your recovery period after implants. Without proper care you will likely have swollen gums and implant trouble.

Tip number two: Give it some time, then use them. If you break your ankle you are supposed to stay off it for a few days, cast it, and keep it elevated, but once the cast comes off you go to physical therapy and you use it. You are not supposed to avoid using it forever, and the best way to get a full recovery is to restore full motion and use. The same holds true for dental implants. Recovery after dental implants means taking it easy for a couple of weeks, eat soft foods, etc. but once a few weeks is up, you should begin to treat them like natural teeth. Move slow, but move forward. If you want to have your implants to function like natural teeth, they need to be used like natural teeth. Your dentist should give you some exact specifications about what foods to eat, and what to avoid. Listen to him, and don't let fear keep you from enjoying your new teeth.

Tip number three: Take pain killers etc. You just had surgery and you don't want to ignore soreness, bleeding, and swelling; you want to treat it. All of these symptoms can be treated with first aid and over the counter medicines. Do not take Asprin as it will cause more bleeding, but try ibuprofen, Advil, etc. You do not take any serious prescriptions, but that does not mean you can't take an ibuprofen if your mouth starts to hurt. If you notice severe pain, or tons of bleeding, swelling, etc. after the first week, you should call your dentist and schedule a check-up. If you do have an infection it is best if they catch it sooner than later, that way they can try and get the implant to work.

Tip number four: Know your limitations, and listen to your dentist. When you have dental implants, you are essentially planting titanium posts into your bone. Your gums and bone must grow around and attach to the posts of these teeth. When this happens you will probably feel some soreness. Knowing what is going on will help you to better recover from it because you can be optimistic and expect it, and thus be prepared to take an over the counter medication to combat it should it hurt too much.

Tip number five: For at least 24 hours to a week you should avoid physical exercise and anything else that may be strenuous. While you can return to work the day after your dental implant surgery, it is wise not to engage in any strenuous activity until bleeding stops. This kind of activity could cause your mouth to bleed even more.

If you are at all worried about your recovery, or think you may be having a problem, call your dentist and go in to see him. Dental implants is a surgery, and recovery is necessary. You should also pre-arrange to see your dentist about four times a year to keep track of the implant health, and get treatment in case of a problem or infection.