Dental implants is today’s state-of-the-art tooth replacement. The actual implant consists of a very small titanium post. It will attach to a lifelike dental crown. The crown is the only part of this tooth-replacement system that is visible in your mouth. The implant itself rests beneath your gum line in the bony socket that used to hold your missing tooth. Four or more implants can be used to support multiple crowns, or even an entire arch of upper or lower replacement teeth. Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth or all your teeth, dental implants are preferred by doctors and patients alike. That’s because dental implants are:
Most Like Natural Teeth
Your natural teeth have roots that keep them securely anchored to your jawbone. In a similar way, implant teeth form a solid attachment with the bone in your jaw. This is possible because dental implants are made of titanium, a metal that has a unique ability to fuse to living bone. During a minor procedure in the dental office, the dentist inserts the implant and it will solidly fuse to your bone over a period of several months.
Once that happens, your implant-supported replacement tooth (or teeth) will feel completely natural. It will also be visually identical from your natural teeth. Implant teeth allow you to eat, speak and smile with complete confidence. They will never slip or shift like removable dentures often do.
Last the Longest
Dental implants actually become part of your jawbone, they provide a permanent solution to tooth loss. Whereas other methods of tooth replacement, including removable dentures and bridgework, may need to be remade over time However, properly cared-for dental implants should last a lifetime. That’s what makes this choice of tooth replacement the best long-term value.
Able to Help Prevent Bone Loss
You may not know it, but bone loss inevitably follows tooth loss. Bone is a living tissue that needs constant stimulation to rebuild itself and stay healthy. In the case of your jawbone, that stimulation comes from the teeth. If even one tooth is lost, the bone beneath will begin to resorb, or melt away. This can give your face a prematurely aged appearance and even leave your jaw more vulnerable to fractures if left untreated long enough. Dental implants can help stop this process by fusing to the jawbone and stabilizing it. No other tooth replacement method can offer this advantage.
Safe for Adjacent Teeth
Dental implants have no effect on the health of adjacent natural teeth; other tooth-replacement systems, however, can weaken adjacent teeth. With bridgework, for example, the natural teeth on either side of a gap left by a missing tooth must provide support for the dental bridge. This can stress those adjacent teeth and leave them more susceptible to decay. Likewise, a partial denture relies on adjacent natural teeth for support and may cause those teeth to loosen over time. Dental implants are stand-alone tooth replacements that don’t rely on support from adjacent natural teeth.
Easy to Care For
Caring for implant teeth is similar to caring for your natural teeth. You must brush them and floss them daily. You would never have to apply special creams and adhesives or soak them in a glass overnight. They will also never need a filling or a root canal. While implants can never decay, they can be compromised by gum disease. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dental office for professional cleanings and exams is the best way to prevent gum disease. It will also ensure your dental implants last a lifetime.
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Wondering if dental implants might be right for you? Contact us today for a free dental consultation.
