09 May Preserve Natural Teeth with Dental Implants
Dental implants make for incredibly lifelike and durable replacement teeth. These prosthetics address more than just the structure of a missing tooth above the gum line; they also replace the roots of teeth. Moreover, dental implants help prevent the loss of more teeth by supporting natural tooth structure. When a dental implant is embedded into the jawbone through oral surgery, it does not require the permanent alteration of healthy adjacent teeth. For these reasons and many more, dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth for many patients.
Following are more benefits to receiving dental implants.
Durability and Stability
Compared to other common prosthetics, dental implants do not budge during oral function as an ill-fitting denture or worn-out bridge might. With implants, patients can eat virtually any type of food comfortably and easily. The reason dental implants are so durable is the fact that the source of support for these replacement teeth is the jawbone. The dental implant, a titanium post, is embedded into the jawbone via oral surgery and after a patient undergoes a recovery period where the bone fuses to the titanium implant, the bone will permanently anchor the post. Once the bone and implant are stabilized, a custom, prosthetic crown is attached to complete the restoration of a lost tooth.
With proper care, a successful implantation can last for decades and even for the rest of a patient’s life.
Lifelike Appearance
Since a dental crown is attached to the implant, patients have options when it comes to how their replacement teeth will look. A crown can be made from strong and durable materials like metals or porcelain and porcelain fused to metal, both of which provide a very natural look that closely resembles biological teeth.
Low Maintenance
Maintaining prosthetics, such as full and partial dentures, is more cumbersome than caring for dental implants. This is because dentures are removed at night for cleaning and soaking. Dental implants, however, are cleaned the same way that one cleans natural teeth with brushing and flossing. The low maintenance aspect of having dental implants is appealing to many patients.
To learn more about your tooth replacement options, call us to schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons!