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What are dental implants?
Dental implants are an effective long term tooth loss solution. When compared to dentures, bridges, and partials, dental implants are a revolutionary way to replace missing teeth, loose or failing teeth, or chronic dental problems. Dental implants are the new standard for tooth replacement since they look, feel, and perform similar to natural teeth.
So how does a dental implant work & how is it secured? The implant looks similar to a small, thick screw and is made of medical-grade titanium. A short time after the implant is inserted into the bone, the bone actually fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration. This means the implant is no longer a single screw, but is now bonded securely to the jaw bone. This union forms a solid and durable anchor for your new teeth eliminating slippage and constant movement commonly seen with dentures, bridges, and partials. Implants make everyday things such as eating and smiling simple again, taking you back to the life you previously enjoyed before missing teeth.
Dental implants have three main parts:
- The Implant: A titanium screw that serves as an anchor for your new teeth. It permanently attaches to your bone.
- The Abutment: A connector that supports and attaches a tooth or set of teeth.
- The Implant Crown: This is the finished tooth portion you can see. It fits over the abutment and is made of porcelain or zirconium for its durability and has a fine finish to match your existing teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Live Healthy and Beautiful: When teeth are missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink. Dental implants can help prevent this deterioration of the jawbone caused by loss of teeth, so your face and jawline retain its natural shape. Dental implants can also help improve your overall health by allowing you to eat healthy foods again such as nuts and fruit.
Live Comfortably: Dental implants are securely anchored which eliminates slipping and movement as there is with dentures or partials. This eliminates some of the key worries of dentures, including a poor fit, gum irritation, constant maintenance, adhesives, and pain from exposed nerves.
As an alternative to a dental bridge, dental implants eliminate the need to grind down healthy teeth when replacing one or more adjacent teeth. They also don’t require adjacent teeth to completely support them, which can often cause those supporting teeth to fail or become loose. At approximately the same cost as a bridge, our office can place a dental implant and keep the surrounding teeth unharmed for a healthier smile. Studies have reported that long-term success rates of dental implants is over 95%, making implants the best long-term investment for tooth replacement.
Live with Confidence: Once you have your dental implants, you will never need to cover your mouth when laughing, smiling, or speaking. You will be able to once again eat your favorite foods without pain or fear of embarrassment – and taste every bite. You will look better, feel better, and live more confidently.
To get a better understanding of what makes dental implants the best solution for missing teeth, please call our office for a free consultation. You’ll be amazed at what our state-of-the-art technology and one-on-one care can do for you.
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Comparing Dental Implants to Dentures & Conventional Bridges
Implants, conventional bridges and dentures have one key thing in common, they are all used to fill the void of a missing tooth or teeth. Aside from this main similarity, all three options are extremely different. The main disadvantage of dentures and conventional bridges is that they are not fixed to the bone which can cause them to be unstable. This can make it difficult to smile and eat with confidence.
Dental implants not only look more natural, but they feel and act more like normal teeth. They do not pose the disadvantages that conventional bridges and dentures do as seen above. They allow for stronger biting force to eat the foods you like without compromising the health of your natural teeth. Implants are to be cared for the same way you would your natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing as natural teeth. Similar to natural teeth, implants can typically last a lifetime if cared for properly.
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