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Signs You Might Need a Dental Implant

Perhaps one of the earliest functions of the dentist—before advances like fluoride, water flossers, or x-rays—was pulling teeth. Whether due to severe toothache caused by infection or merely loss of calcium due to age, dental experts have been called on for centuries to remove those pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites.  

But, unlike in days of old, when we were forced to live the rest of our lives with a gap in our smile or a hole for our tongues to constantly dig food out of, modern dentistry has a solution to missing teeth: the dental implant.

While something as drastic as denture replacement is reserved for cases in which one’s entire mouthful of teeth is facing decay, dental implants allow oral care professionals to preserve the natural order of our smile when just one or two teeth require removal. However, you may have never actually considered when dental implants are called for. So let’s examine some of the most common signs that you might need a dental implant (source: abcdentalimplantcenter.com). 

The most obvious case is if you lose one of your adult teeth. Sometimes this will happen suddenly due to impact, such as during a sparring session in martial arts class. Other times, it happens gradually if you allow severe tooth decay to go untreated.

However it happens, once you have a gap in your teeth, you should see a dentist immediately. When a gap is left unfilled, your teeth will shift around within your mouth in order to find a way to rest “naturally”. This could lead to complications such as a change in your bite pattern, constant gum pain, or abnormal growth from the surrounding teeth. 

Another warning sign that an implant is in order is unexplainable toothache that is not related to eating, chewing, or temperature sensitivity. This is a symptom of advanced tooth decay, which may require the extraction and replacement of the offending tooth. Such pain could also arise out of a failed root canal. It’s important to see a dental professional so that the tooth can be extracted procedurally rather than allowing it to rot away on its own.

A final common sign is a receding gum line, which accompanies periodontitis. As the gum disease advances, the gums shrink back causing adult teeth to loosen and wiggle. If the damage cannot be repaired, the teeth will likely need to be pulled and replaced with implants.

While it’s always best to practice good dental health and prevent problems before they start, it’s still important to be aware of the dangers of tooth loss. If you experience any of the signs outlined in this article, see a dental professional as soon as possible in order to determine if dental implants are the proper solution for you.