Imagine yourself—maybe on Broad Street—hanging with your friends or family. One of them says, “Hey everyone, squeeze in. It’s time for a photo!” The phone comes out, everyone grins, and you do your best to flash a tight-lipped smile. You know, the one you’ve been trying to perfect since you lost your tooth.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Far from it, in fact. Missing teeth are one of the most common dental issues adults face. Yet more and more of your neighbors in Southern Pines and Sanford are deciding it’s time to stop hiding their smiles. For good reason.
Let’s look at the many benefits of dental implants.
Life Is Better with a Complete Smile
Make no mistake, missing teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It’s not just about selfies. Lost teeth change how and what you eat, how you speak, and your overall quality of life, and over time, they can even change the shape of your jaw.
Dental implants provide big benefits, including:
The Ability to Eat What You Love: Pulled pork from your favorite barbecue spot, sweet corn from the farmer’s market, a steak from your favorite restaurant downtown. If you’ve given up chewing on one side of your mouth or, worse, skipped your favorite foods altogether, implants restore full chewing power.
Because they’re anchored in your jawbone, they handle all foods—even the crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods—just like your natural teeth. For folks who have relied on dentures, you’ll be happy to hear no adhesives are needed either.
Stay Active Without Worry: Whether you enjoy spending weekends wandering through Weymouth Woods, taking a ride through horse country, challenging coworkers to a friendly round of golf, or chasing grandkids through the park, implants stay put. Nothing shifts, clicks, or slips.
Smile Freely: From Friday night football to class reunions to holiday photos, you can show up fully—when you talk, laugh, smile, and eat. Because the implant is custom-matched to your natural teeth, it looks natural. The only difference people may notice is how much more you’re smiling.
Protect Your Jawbone and Face Shape: What many people are unaware of is that when an adult tooth is lost, the bone beneath it no longer gets the stimulation from chewing. Over time, that bone gradually shrinks, and neighboring teeth begin to drift. That can make the face look more sunken.
An implant, however, replaces the tooth’s root, which keeps the bone active and healthy. What’s more, it’s the only type of tooth replacement that provides that benefit.
One and Done (Usually): With proper care, dental implants can last for decades—often for the rest of your life. For many patients, that alone beats the cycle of relines, repairs, and replacements that come with other options.
How Implants Compare with Other Tooth Replacement Options
Implants aren’t the only option, and each one has its place. Here’s a quick look at each:
- Dentures: The lowest upfront cost; however, because they rest on the gums, they can slip, even with the best adhesives. They also don’t protect the bone underneath, which is why they need to be readjusted and even replaced every so often as the jawbone shrinks.
- Bridges: A natural-looking option that works well. They do, however, require reshaping healthy teeth to be anchored. And the bone underneath will still shrink.
- Implants: They can stand on their own, protect the jawbone, and leave neighboring teeth untouched.
Many patients find implants offer the best long-term value. However, they aren’t right for every person or every situation. A consultation will help you weigh what best fits your mouth, your health, your budget, and your goals.
Implant Placement: Periodontist or General Dentist?
Think of an implant like a fence post—it’s only as solid as the ground it’s set in. In your mouth, that ground is your gums and jawbone. And that’s exactly what periodontists specialize in.
Periodontists complete three additional years of training after dental school for a deep understanding of gum health, bone, and implant placement. So, for those who need bone grafting or gum treatments before the implant is placed, all of the care can be handled under one roof.
Best of all, you don’t need to drive to Raleigh or Chapel Hill for specialist care. Van Scoyoc Periodontics & Implants welcomes patients from Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Sanford, and throughout Moore County.
Are Dental Implants Worth It?
Implants do cost more upfront than dentures or a bridge. That’s just the facts. However, once you factor in how long they last and how they protect the jaw and the neighboring teeth, many patients find that they’re the smarter investment in the long run.
Most healthy adults are good candidates. They may need some prep first, including treating gum disease and rebuilding any bone that’s already been lost. This prep work sets up the implant for long-term success.
Dental Implants FAQ
How long do dental implants last?
This is one of the most common questions. The good news is, with good brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, the implant itself can last for decades—or even the rest of your life. The crown on top may eventually need to be replaced after years of normal wear, but the implant itself stays strong.
Does getting an implant hurt?
Fortunately, many patients say it’s easier than they expected. Because the procedure is done with local anesthesia, there should be no pain during the process. During recovery, most people are able to manage any soreness with ice and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Am I too old for dental implants?
There’s no upper age limit. As long as your overall health and bone quality support it, the number of candles you blew out at your last birthday celebration doesn’t matter one bit.
Ready to Show that Beautiful Smile?
If a missing tooth has left you smiling cautiously (if at all) or chewing carefully, you have options. Call Van Scoyoc Periodontics & Implants at in Southern Pines at (910) 692-6270 or Sanford at (919) 890-9727 or schedule a consultation online. We’d love to help you smile freely again and add even more joy to those group photos.
