Dental Implants
Although our adult or permanent teeth are designed to last for our lifetimes, there can be several factors that lead to losing some or all of those teeth too soon. Many people feel that once they have lost any of these teeth that they have no choice other than to live without a complete smile or bite. Fortunately, there are several options to replace those teeth, but one of those options is the most highly recommended by dentists throughout the country. Dental implants, whether for a single tooth, or for complete replacement continually rise above the rest of the options for their durability, ease of use, and how they seamlessly blend with the rest of your smile.
If you have been looking for tooth replacement, contact Marietta Smile Gallery today to schedule your consultation.
Understanding Implants
One of the biggest reasons that dentists frequently recommend dental implants is because they mimic the structure of your natural teeth. Implants use a small titanium post that is inserted under the gums and into the bone that used to hold the roots of your teeth. If these areas are not used to hold the tooth (or the implant) in place, the body begins to resorb that bone. This means that the bone that once surrounded the tooth is gradually removed. Over time, resorption can lead to lower bone density and mass in the jaw. This affects the strength and function of the jaw, and in extreme cases, can even alter a person’s facial appearance.
The titanium post that is installed into the bone is coated with a special treatment that helps to increase new bone growth rapidly. Additionally, the implant has microscopic holes that are drilled into it to allow the bone to attach and secure the new tooth in place properly. After the implant has been allowed some time to heal, a permanent crown will be attached to the top of the implant. The crown looks, feels, and works just like your natural teeth. There is no need to use special cleaning products or adhesives that dentures require.
Uses for Implants
If you are just missing a single tooth, there are single tooth implants that are ideal. This implant places a single titanium post in the same area that the tooth was lost. This helps to keep the bone density high and helps to maintain the structure for the neighboring teeth. Once the post is placed, special measurements will be taken, and the replacement crown will be specially made to fit precisely in that location. This accurate measuring helps to make sure that the neighboring teeth do not have the space to push in, or are not pushed away from the implant.
When patients are missing more than one tooth, there are several other options that they can choose from. One common approach is implant-supported bridges or dentures. These approaches utilize the titanium posts strategically located in the mouth. The crown of the implant is then created. This piece of hardware will look like multiple teeth even though it is constructed as a single unit. This crown is then attached to the posts to hold them firmly in place.
One other approach for replacing all of the missing teeth along one or both of the arches in the mouth is the All-on-4 approach. This method places four titanium posts along with the bones of the gums, and then a special crown is made to fit onto that hardware. This approach can be particularly helpful for patients who have experienced some bone loss and could not otherwise get dental implants.
Overview
If you are looking at your options to replace any permanent missing teeth, contact our offices to schedule an appointment today. After reviewing your medical case, we can help to match you with the approach that works best for your needs.