If you’re an athlete who has accidentally lost one or more teeth due to a sports-related injury, you may be wondering what your restoration options are. After all, you may not be missing enough to need a full denture, and temporary solutions like partials and dental bridges don’t solve the problem, they only hide it. Here’s a closer look at durable, lifelike dental implants, and how they could permanently restore your gorgeous grin like a champ!
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the world’s only permanent tooth replacement prosthetic. They are surgically implanted into the jawbone with a titanium or zirconium post that fuses with the bone via the process of osseointegration. Dental implants can replace anywhere from one to an entire arch of missing teeth, and because they are surgically attached, they provide important jawbone stimulation that can prevent further tooth loss. In fact, with proper care and use they should look and function just like real teeth for a lifetime!
Why Are Dental Implants Ideal for Athletes?
Unlike removable restorations like partial dentures, and dental bridges that require your dentist to alter your healthy teeth, dental implants are permanent and can be placed anywhere along the arch they’re needed.
Furthermore, in many cases, athletes who have accidentally lost teeth on the field, rink, or court still have otherwise healthy smiles, so dental implants allow them to restore their grin without having to wait until they’ve incurred more tooth loss later in life or alter or remove healthy teeth in the process.
How to Care for Your Dental Implants When Playing Sports
Whether you’ve already replaced a lost tooth with dental implants or are seeking to protect your remaining teeth from damage during athletic activities, when playing sports, it’s important to wear an ADA approved mouthguard. While there are plenty of these available online and at your local sporting goods store, a professional sports guard from a dentist is the best way to safeguard your smile. Because these appliances are custom fit to your individual mouth, they are extremely comfortable, and unlike those storebought boil-and-bite devices, they are less bulky and more durable, too.
Remember, if you’ve lost permanent teeth due to a sports injury, dental implants can help fill those unsightly spaces and restore your gorgeous, healthy, winning grin!
About Dr. Phillips
For over 40 years, Dr. Garry Phillips has been helping Texans create healthy, beautiful smiles. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is a proud, active member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and The Dallas County Dental Association. To schedule a consultation for dental implants at Frisco Dental Care, visit our website or call 972-712-0500.