Missing teeth can cause serious health concerns, rob you of confidence, and interrupt normal activity due to pain and discomfort. While modern replacement teeth can supply the needed support to return to normal, dentures and crowns are often uncomfortable and hard to work with. Dental implants provide a permanently anchored, nearly undetectable replacement that can replace a single tooth, or provide an anchor for dental prosthetics, such as bridges and dentures.
What is a Dental Implant
Dental implants are anchors for permanent replacement teeth made from titanium and other body friendly materials. They are anchored into the upper or lower jawbone, replacing the tooth’s original root structure. The jaw actually grows around the dental implants integrating them into the structure. Once established, dental implants are undetectable to the patient, allowing them to return to a fully normal life.
Once the dental implants are integrated with the jaw, a replacement tooth, or group of teeth are custom made to attach to the implant. The teeth are shaped and colored using high tech methods to create near undetectable substitution for natural teeth. With dental implants to attach to, these replacements are much more stable and comfortable than traditional dentures and other dental devices. After the replacement teeth are in place, patients can bite and chew normally, just as they would with natural, healthy teeth.
Dental Implants and Jaw Health
A reduction in bone strength is a natural result of lost teeth. It can also make you look older, and prevent normal activity, due to pain and discomfort. Your body recognizes the missing tooth. This signals that nutrients, used to support bone health in that area, can now be redirected to other areas, making the problem even more severe.
The titanium anchor of a dental implant, fills the void left by the natural tooth’s root. This stimulates the jaw, cuing the body to continue supplying the needed nutrients to maintain bone health. This helps to eliminate the risk of jawbone deterioration, which can lead to expensive and painful surgeries. Dental implants are the only prosthetic that provides this benefit.