Tooth implants are individual or group implants placed in the mouth to replace former teeth. The implants are placed into the jaw of your mouth, just like the roots to your natural teeth are, and help to secure your dental crown in place once you have it put in. With proper care and regular oral hygiene practices, tooth implants can last as long as you have the rest of your teeth, so the investment can be well worth it.

However, tooth implants are not entirely necessary for everyone and can be optional as an oral care solution. You do have alternatives like bridges or dentures or even leaving a space where a tooth was before alone entirely. Here is a guide to help you determine the necessity of tooth implants, and your dentist can help you make a decision regarding your smile as well.

You've already tried alternatives

Have you tried dentures and found them to be too uncomfortable? Does a retailer or other solution not work out for you? You can try several options before coming to tooth implants, which will be the closest solution to having a natural smile as you can get. Your dentist can go over the pros of getting tooth implants with you and will give you an oral exam to check your gums and jaw tissue before moving forward.

You've lost several teeth

If you have lost several teeth, then having a smile without teeth in it can be quite noticeable. You can get tooth implants in the more obvious areas where you are missing teeth to give your mouth a fuller, more natural grin. Your dentist can even put several dental crowns on one tooth implant to make your smile look more complete if you only have enough money to cover a few dental posts.

You've got the money

Dental insurance helps to put the dental posts in, but the dental implants where the crowns are concerned aren't always covered by dental insurance. This is where you have to decide if you can afford tooth implants. If you have the money to pay for the procedure, that's great. If not, you can put some money down on the procedure and your dentist can help you finance the rest of the procedure.

If you have a smaller budget, you can have fewer posts put in to give you the fuller smile you want without spending a lot of money. Your dental costs will vary depending on where you live and other factors. Talk to your dentist today to learn more about tooth implants and your options.