Dental Implants

Losing a tooth due to injury, dental decay, or gum disease can happen. However, in order to avoid causing problems for the adjacent teeth and your overall dental health, it is important to replace the tooth that has been lost. This can be done a number of ways including fixed bridges, removable partial or full dentures as well as a more recent procedure known as dental implants.

One of the most significant dental innovations in recent times, an implant is a small surgical fixture made of biocompatible metal or ceramic materials that is placed into the jawbone and functions in the same manner as the root of a tooth. In the same way that natural root supports the natural crown of your tooth, an implant once it fully integrates with the surrounding bone, provides a stable and durable foundation for a replacement tooth. Implants often support a crown for an individual tooth, but can also be used as abutment teeth for a dental bridge, or strategically placed to help stabilize a denture.

Out of all of the restorative choices available today an implant comes the closest to replicating the look, feel and function of a natural tooth. Furthermore, it is the only method of tooth replacement that does not require the involvement or preparation of the adjacent teeth. A dental implant also stimulates bone remodeling to prevent shrinkage in areas where teeth are missing and helps to restore facial contours in areas where significant bone loss has occurred.

Implant Restorations

Losing teeth can be devastating for dental health, and it is generally caused by other harrowing dental concerns. An uneven or incomplete bite can be even more damaging to a bite and a smile, which is why replacing lost teeth is so important. There are several solutions that can be considered when replacing lost teeth, and dental implant restorations are one of them. Dental implants are the closest thing to real teeth. Many people with implants claim that they feel and perform more like real teeth than other options like bridges or dentures. This is because dental implants are surgically attached to the jawbone, allowing patients to eat and speak with the same confidence they did with a completely natural smile.

Dental implant restorations do require some surgery, so not all interested patients may be eligible. An implant dentist can evaluate an individual’s dental health to determine whether they are capable of supporting implants and can begin prepping for the necessary procedure. Implants are set into place with titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. Once implanted, these posts actually meld with the bone during the healing process. This is known as osseointegration and it is what firmly secures the artificial tooth to the jawbone. Once the implant is set in place, the custom-made artificial teeth can be placed into the posts to create a seamless new smile.

The artificial tooth or dental crown placed into the anchored posts can be designed to match remaining teeth in order to look as natural as possible. Dental implants may require repair or general maintenance with time and use, just like real teeth, as they are subject to wear and tear over time – but overall, they will look and feel like real teeth. Dental implant restorations can be used to replace all teeth, many teeth, or a few teeth – it all depends on the patient’s needs.