Implant dentistry addresses the need for functional and durable replacement teeth that appear lifelike and natural. If you have suffered from tooth loss, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon to determine if this tooth replacement method meets your needs.
How Dental Implants Function Like Teeth
When we lose a tooth, we lose its roots, too. Many of us forget the important role the roots of our teeth play. While the roots of teeth aren’t visible, they are very important. Since they are anchored by the jawbone, our teeth can chew and bite through very tough foods quite easily. Until dental implants, there was no way to replace the roots of teeth. This is because any type of prosthetic implanted into the bone would ultimately be rejected by the body since it was not biocompatible.
Fortunately, dental implants are biocompatible. They are made of titanium, a metal that isn’t rejected by the body as a foreign object. Once an implant is embedded into the jaw, the bone surrounding it will fuse to its structure over time, locking it in place. This entire process is what makes dental implants function just like natural teeth.
After the implant is stabilized, the tooth restoration process is completed with a permanent restoration, which replaces visible tooth structure. Implant dentistry addresses the need to replace all a tooth’s parts, including its roots, so that a patient can enjoy optimal oral function and a beautiful smile. The restoration is tooth-shaped and custom made for a perfect fit that supports adjacent teeth and a healthy occlusion.
If implant dentistry is of interest to you, call Great River Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at your convenience to schedule a dental implant consultation with our experienced team of oral surgeons.