For many, the idea of getting dental implants seems both scary and expensive. Often, teeth that can’t be saved are pulled out, and that person is left with a noticeable gap.
And with the rising cost of dental care in America, fixing issues that seem more cosmetic than urgent often takes a back seat to more pressing matters. But over time, these missing teeth can contribute to more problems and even eat away your self-esteem, especially if the missing teeth are noticeable.
So, how do you decide when to take the plunge and invest in your smile?
Affordable Implants Aren’t Just a Pipe Dream Anymore
The good news is that the rise in dental tourism has paved the way for professional, high-quality dental care at much more affordable prices. Countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and more can now take advantage of their lower operating costs- and pass those savings onto thousands of international patients willing to travel for dental care.
Not all of these countries offer the same prices, but overall, prices can be as much as 50% less than comparable treatments in America while meeting all the same health and safety standards we have come to expect.
It sounds too good to be accurate, but it’s not. At least, not when you take the time to find certified professionals accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Many of these dentists are trained and certified in the U.S. or Europe!
What IS a Dental Implant?
I guess the first step in deciding is understanding a dental implant. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, an implant is an artificial tooth root placed in your mouth (specifically, your jawbone). It takes the place of the natural root removed due to extraction.
Why is this important? Because your jawbone needs the stimulation, your roots provide to maintain bone density. In other words, if your body knows there is no longer a tooth in that space, it will decide that it no longer needs bone to hold the tooth and slowly reabsorb the bone.
Okay, so back to teeth. This implant takes the form of what looks like a big screw that is “implanted” (hence the name) into the space where your natural root was. Over time, your body will grow around it as it heals, becoming a permanent fixture. This process is called osseointegration, and it’s part of why implants are so strong.
Here is a visual to help you understand how it works.
Once the implant is in place, the dentist will create an artificial tooth called a crown that attaches to the metal root and fills the space. At Meza Dental, the implant is made with titanium, the abutment, which is the piece that connects the implant to the crown, is made of either titanium or zirconia (which is becoming increasingly popular due to its white color), and the crown is custom-made using zirconia to look like the missing tooth.
We use zirconia because it is not only powerful but also very smooth. This smooth surface makes it hard for bacteria to stick to your new tooth (or teeth), helping you keep it (or them) clean. Another benefit of zirconia is that its translucent nature mimics the natural enamel of your teeth.
When Should I Consider Implants?
So, if the high price of dental care in the States is no longer holding you back, maybe it’s time to consider dental implants and what they can mean for your quality of life. You may not think that missing a few teeth has affected it, but it’s the little things that creep up on us… things that eventually become a habit that we don’t even think about it anymore.
That’s why we’ve put together 10 signs that it might be time for dental implants, including:
- You think twice about ordering steak or other chewy foods, even if they’re personal favorites.
Losing molars used to grind up tough foods like steak or crusty bread can make eating difficult, especially if you lose more than one or if the remaining molars do not line up. If you move your food around a lot while chewing, this might be why. It’s important to note that unnaturally moving your jaw can cause pain in those muscles and tendons. Dental implants will fill those gaps and provide a complete chewing surface.
- Foods that are even a little too hot or too cold cause you pain
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods can be a sign of tooth decay, but it can also mean that a nerve is exposed due to thinning enamel or receding gums. This type of issue doesn’t resolve itself and can become painful.
- You’re distracted at dinner time, worrying that your partial might pop out.
As you age, you can experience bone loss and shrinkage. This can cause dentures and partials you have used for years to become loose, resulting in movement during chewing. This can cause sore areas along the gums, breakage, or the occasional embarrassing moment when your adhesive fails. Dental implants are a permanent solution to this problem.
- You’re constantly dealing with stuck popcorn kernels, wedged meat and vegetables, and other foods that get stuck in gaps in your teeth.
The only real solution to this problem is to fill that hole and prevent painful jabs or impacted foods.
- You’ve adjusted your smile to hide cracked or broken teeth
Consciously changing the natural shape of your smile can have side effects you may not think about, like unusual wrinkle patterns or jaw pain. The best solution is to fix the underlying problem and let that beautiful smile loose!
- You avoid smiling entirely because you’re not happy with how it looks
If you consciously avoid smiling because you are embarrassed, you aren’t enjoying life to the fullest. Laughing and smiling should be a natural, happy event.
- You have multiple fillings that consistently break or chip,
Sometimes, fillings are large enough to damage the structural integrity of the remaining tooth, and pieces of the tooth will break off when you chew hard foods. In this case, the only permanent solution is to extract the tooth. By replacing that tooth with an implant, you maintain the full functionality of your mouth.
- You have a partial bridge that no longer fits properly or is causing undue wear on neighboring teeth- putting them at risk,
As with dentures, the fit of your partials can change as you age and your bone structure changes. This can cause breakage and soreness, but excessive movement during chewing can also cause damage to the teeth, which hold your partial in place. Eventually, you may need to repair or remove those teeth as well.
- Chewing is a chore because you’re missing key teeth or your remaining molars don’t align properly.
While most people can still chew with one or two missing teeth, losing several makes chewing many kinds of food difficult. If you lean towards a soft diet simply because it’s easier, you may not get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
- You’re ready to feel great about your teeth again.
Last but not least, your smile is essential, and not only because it is an integral part of what makes you… you! The freedom, comfort, and confidence we feel when we’re happy with our smile can make a difference in our well-being and pride.
The Time Might Be Sooner Than You Think
Any time you change your usual behavior because of a dental issue, it chips away at your quality of life, health, and, in many cases, self-confidence.
These are things that we do consciously. We make a choice, for whatever reason, to deal with the discomfort because it can seem more complicated to fix than to leave it.
But people seldom realize that not dealing with the gaps left by extracted teeth has other consequences.
Issues like:
- loss of bone in the jaw,
- increased potential for gum disease and infections (caused by food/bacteria that can get lodged in the spaces,
- leaning/spreading teeth…
The bottom line is that getting dental implants isn’t just about not having a gap in your smile (although that’s a definite plus). Dental implants return your mouth to its natural state, restore the integrity of your bite, and allow you to chew the way you were meant to. All of these things contribute to your dental health and overall physical and mental well-being.
No one should have to live with consistent pain or discomfort.
The Benefit of Dental Implants
It’s important to understand that dental implants aren’t the only option for fixing the abovementioned issues. However, when it comes right down to it, the dental implants made today are so strong and reliable that they essentially come with a lifetime guarantee (40 years to be exact), and, thanks to modern technology, they look and function just like your natural teeth.
They don’t require you to remove them each night for cleaning, and they don’t move around while you’re chewing!
So, back to our original question, then… how do you know if dental implants are the right choice for you?
Is the Time Right For Me?
Your dentist is most qualified to answer that because every patient has unique circumstances. However, for this article, here are some qualities that make you a good candidate for dental implants:
- you are missing one or more teeth (if you are missing most of your teeth, or your existing teeth can’t be saved, all-on-x may be a better choice for you)
- you have enough bone structure to be able to attach the implant
- you are healthy (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc, can impede the healing process)
As you can see, dental implants are a viable option for most people with a few missing teeth or teeth needing replacement. The main benefit of dental implants is their strength and longevity, but they are also popular since you can forget about them once they are in. You brush and floss your teeth the way you usually would.
Now that you know about dental implants, maybe it’s time to think about how many of those signs you have and whether or not dental implants could be right for you. If you’ve been putting your dental health on the back burner for financial reasons and exploring dental tourism appeals to you, we’re here to help.
The Meza Dental Difference
We at Meza Dental can give you back your smile, and we can do it at a fraction of the price you would pay in America, all from the comfort of beautiful tropical destinations like Cancún and Costa Rica.
With 50 years of combined dental experience and a dedicated laboratory capable of producing the highest quality, natural-looking implants, you know you are in good hands.
Still, we understand that dental implants are a significant, often uncertain process, and our friendly, English-speaking staff are happy to answer all of your questions and can even provide a free consultation so you can make an informed decision.
Let us restore your smile to its former glory and enjoy a little sunshine and warmth while you’re at it. You’ll be glad you did!
Reach out today by clicking here or email us directly at contact@mezadentalcare.com.
You can also call us toll-free from the US or Canada at 1-(877)-337-6392
Article written by Dr. Alberto Meza
Dr. Meza provides patients with valuable insights and expert guidance to help them achieve optimal dental well-being.
His commitment to delivering high-quality care and staying updated on the latest dental advancements makes him a trusted source for comprehensive dental solutions.