How Your Total Health Is Affected
The goal of Total Health Dental Care is to improve people’s overall health through dentistry. And since the aesthetic aspect of dental implants impacts people’s happiness, it is paramount to provide the most attractive results.
The cosmetics of dental implants can have a great impact on the emotional well-being of a patient. A naturally attractive smile may improve a patient’s confidence. But an unattractive dental implant could cause someone to feel self-conscious. Then the patient may become:
- Socially awkward
- Less likely to express happiness
- Perceived as grumpy, aloof or unsociable
In over 570 procedures, Total Health Dental Care has applied its philosophy to provide naturally attractive dental implants so the patient can express joy without feeling self-conscious. This ultimately leads to an improved outlook, increased confidence and overall happiness.
The Criteria for Great Looking Dental Implants
When it comes to dental implant aesthetics, everyone has their own unique considerations. We customize each procedure so every patient can enjoy optimal results. Still, there are variables involved that are important for every patient to know.
Your Upper Lip Line and Dental Implant Aesthetics
The first assessment for dental implant aesthetics is the lip position. Some people have upper lip lines that barely expose their top teeth. Others have high upper lip lines that expose excessive amount of gums when they smile.
Dental implant candidates should know that the higher the lip line, the harder it is to get perfect aesthetics. That is, people with high lip lines may have a harder time with implant aesthetics. The reason high lip lines are more complicated is the gum height of the dental implant needs to match the existing teeth. The gum height of dental implants is unpredictable.
If you have a high upper lip line, an attractive implant is still possible. Having ideal bone levels and gum levels will improve aesthetics. Porcelain crowns and porcelain implant components will also help. In addition, advanced bone grafting and connective tissue grafts can be used. If all else fails, part of the implant can be gum-colored so it will not stand out so dramatically.
Why Your Bone Level Matters
Your bone level – underneath your tooth – plays an important part in the aesthetics of your dental implant. To get ideal implant aesthetics, you need ideal bone level. Some people have it naturally. For those that don’t, bone grafting might be needed.
Patients who need to replace existing teeth can expect much more predictable bone levels. That’s because they have more existing bone to help new bone formation.
Patients with missing teeth, particularly those who haven’t had a tooth for a while, might not have enough bone for optimal aesthetics. These patients have typically experienced bone atrophy in the implant site and require advanced bone grafting. These procedures can be done, but require more time and healing.
Using the right lab
Dental implants require work by a lab, either a cosmetic lab or an average lab. When it comes to implant aesthetics, cosmetic labs are best, particularly for front teeth. The lab can use the doctor’s digital pictures to help mimic the existing teeth.
Cosmetic labs also take into account the distance to neighboring teeth. They understand how to contact the neighboring teeth to get ideal gum formation.
The lab used is at the discretion of the implant dentist.
What Are Your Expectations for Dental Implant Aesthetics?
Expectations play a big part in how satisfied you are with the results. If you are expecting your dental implant to perfectly match neighboring teeth when seen under a magnifying glass, those high expectations can only be met
if you have ideal bone and gum levels, a low upper lip line, and are a fast healer who is generally healthy. If any of those variables aren’t met, you should understand that the chances of getting absolutely perfect aesthetics decrease significantly.
If you expect the implant to look attractive to the public, that’s a moderate expectation. Most of the time this can be achieved. The only time you might be concerned is when you have both a high upper lip line and inadequate bone levels.
And if you simply want the dental implant to work for you on a practical level, you’ll likely be very satisfied with the results.
