How Dental Implants Work
A dental implant is a titanium cylinder. It is embedded into the jawbone by our oral surgeon. With time, the bone surrounding the titanium cylinder will fuse to it. Once the bone has stabilized the implant, the smile restoration process is completed with a prosthetic such as a dental crown or bridge.
Dental Implants and Oral Function
When a tooth is missing, it affects the entire oral health system. Teeth next to empty tooth sockets lack support and can slide into the spaces where missing teeth should be. Moreover, missing teeth means that remaining biological teeth endure more force and pressure from chewing and biting than a complete set of teeth.
Implants remedy this problem by filling in the gaps of a smile and providing a stable, supportive replacement tooth that restores the gaps in a smile. Since implant dentistry addresses the loss of a tooth’s roots as well as its crown, people can eat their favorite foods – even those that are chewy or tough. Renewed oral function means that one can enjoy a full, balanced diet without discomfort.
Implant Dentistry and Improved Appearance
Not only do dental implants restore oral function, they can greatly improve a patient’s appearance. If one chooses white restorations for the crown or bridge attached to the implant, his or her smile will appear very natural looking. Implants will also help keep existing biological teeth upright and in their proper position.
Our patients who have received implants enjoy improved appearance and restored oral function. To learn more, contact Great River Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery to reserve a tooth replacement consultation with our caring and experienced staff.