Dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth. The team at River District Smiles (803-590-9525) explains who might be a good candidate and what the process looks like.
Across the United States, about 150 million people are missing teeth—meaning nearly half the country’s population is navigating daily life with gaps in their smile. Whether from injury, decay, or age-related issues, tooth loss affects not just your appearance but also your ability to eat, speak, and feel confident in social situations. You might avoid certain foods you once enjoyed, find yourself covering your mouth when you laugh or smiling less in photographs.
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While these behavioral changes might seem minor, they can significantly impact your quality of life. Dental implants offer a one-and-done fix for missing teeth. Here’s how to know if they might be right for you.
What many people don't realize is that tooth loss affects more than just your smile. When a tooth is missing, the underlying jawbone begins to deteriorate because it's no longer stimulated by the tooth root. Over time, this bone loss can alter your facial structure, making you appear older than you are and potentially causing remaining teeth to shift.
When considering replacing missing teeth, you have several options to choose from. Each comes with unique considerations. While traditional dentures are non-invasive and have a lower upfront cost, they can shift while the wearer speaks and eats. They also require special care and cleaning, and need replacement about every 5 to 10 years, creating costs that pile up over time.
Dental bridges—or, fixed prosthetics that bridge a gap in your smile—can restore regular chewing, but require the dentist to grind down adjacent healthy teeth. That change may cause sensitivity in some patients, and cannot be reversed. Bridges last 5 to 15 years.
For those seeking a long-term solution that most closely mimics natural teeth, dental implants have become increasingly popular. A titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone, which then fuses with the bone over several months. Once that process is complete, you have a stable foundation for a custom-made crown that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. Dental implants may help preserve jawbone, and while they cost more upfront, they can last a lifetime with the appropriate care.
Is a Dental Implant Right for You?
Dental implants require oral surgery and several months of healing time post-procedure. In considering whether or not dental implants might work for you, your dentist will weigh many factors.
Ideal candidates typically have:
Factors that might complicate implant treatment:
It's also worth thinking about your lifestyle needs and preferences. If you're active and social, you might appreciate that implants don't require removal for cleaning or special maintenance beyond normal brushing and flossing. If you've struggled with dentures that slip or fit uncomfortably, implants eliminate these concerns entirely.
While dental implants have an impressive success rate of about 95%, the expertise of your dental provider plays a crucial role in achieving optimal results. At River District Smiles in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Dr. Matthew Hubis specializes in dental implant procedures, including full arch replacements for patients missing multiple teeth.
"Our patients want solutions that look natural and feel secure," notes Dr. Hubis. "With our implant services, we're able to give them that—and more—using methods that support long-term oral health."
The team at River District Smiles prioritizes patient comfort throughout the process, offering sedation dentistry options and same-day temporary teeth. Each restoration is carefully crafted so that its shape, color, and size fits seamlessly alongside your natural teeth, for results that look authentic.
At River District Smiles, the dental implant process typically follows these steps:
If you've been considering permanent tooth replacement options, scheduling a consultation is the best way to determine if dental implants are right for you. During this appointment, you can discuss your specific concerns, learn about financing options, and get a clear picture of what the process would entail for your specific situation.
An investment in a healthy smile is also an investment in your long-term quality of life. With proper care, dental implants can provide decades of comfortable chewing, confident smiling, and improved oral health.
To learn more about dental implant options or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hubis at River District Smiles Dentistry, call (803) 590-9525 or visit https://riverdistrictsmiles.com/dental-service/dental-implants/ for more information.
