Do you have gaps in your grin from permanent adult teeth that have gone missing? You might think it’s okay to leave the socket empty, especially if it’s in the back of your mouth where no one can see. However, tooth loss can impact your jawbone and facial structure, resulting in changes to your appearance that can leave you looking older than you feel.
Thankfully, your dentist can restore your smile’s appearance and functionality with beautiful dental implants worthy of the red carpet. Continue reading to learn more about these replacements and which celebrities have undergone this popular treatment!
How Does Tooth Loss Impact Facial Structure?
Under normal circumstances, your roots stimulate additional bone growth every time you bite down, to maintain your jaw- the foundational structure for your mouth. Unfortunately, when one goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone density within the first twelve months.
As your jaw thins, the muscles and ligaments anchored to it grow slack. This can result in sunken cheeks and additional facial wrinkles, as well as thinner lips and a more angular, pointed chin.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
There are several potential ways to rebuild missing teeth, such as dentures or dental bridges, but implants are the only treatment that prevents your jaw from eroding. This procedure involves surgically embedding a titanium rod into your jawbone to function like a root. It can take three to six months to mend because that’s how long it often takes the jaw to form enough new bone to fuse with the biocompatible support rod in a process called osseointegration.
This is then capped with a customized dental crown (or other appropriate prosthetic) that reflects light like enamel for seamless results.
What Celebrities Have Dental Implants?
Many patients assume that artificial teeth look awkward or will stick out like a sore thumb, but that’s not usually the case! Even the rich and famous know that this option is a reliable way to enhance your looks and your oral health. Continue reading below to learn about a few people you might be surprised to learn have dental implants!
- Mike Tyson. As a heavyweight boxing champion, it’s no surprise that this celebrity sustained injuries that damaged or dislodged his teeth, requiring restorations.
- Christie Brinkley. This supermodel, actress, and television personality made a living with her beautiful smile, but then broke two molars in a helicopter crash and needed replacements.
- Ed Helms. This movie star might not have been faking a missing tooth for his role in “The Hangover”. He had implants placed long ago!
Dental implants are a reliable and beautiful way to rebuild your smile after losing permanent teeth!
Meet the Author
Dr. James Geer is a compassionate dentist with decades of experience helping patients improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas at Houston, and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. Today, he provides a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs at one location, including dental implants. He can place and restore your prosthetic in the office for a more comfortable, streamlined experience. You can request an appointment on the website or call (281) 357-4337.