Dental implants are becoming one of the most widely accepted methods for replacing missing teeth and are considered the standard of care in dentistry. Implants can also be used to stabilize removable partial or complete dentures.
Dental implants function as artificial roots, usually made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the jaw bone. After a healing phase, the implants can be loaded by attaching a custom lab fabricated porcelain tooth that will function and look like any other tooth. Dental implants are very strong, stable and durable, and usually will outlast any other alternative restoration such as a bridge or removable partial.
Dental implants preserve the jaw bone as well, because the chewing forces that act upon them stimulate the bone to be healthy and strong unlike a bridge or removable denture. Dental implants also help protect the nearby teeth in many ways. Unlike a bridge, a dental implant supports its own tooth where as a bridge uses two teeth to support a false tooth in-between them. Also the gum tissue is usually healthier with implants, because the patient can floss more easily between the teeth, where as with a bridge, the patient has to meticulously floss and clean under the false tooth and in-between the supporting two teeth.
Reasons for dental implants include:
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
- Stabilize the jaw by preventing shifting teeth caused by a missing tooth.
- Increase chewing efficiency.
- Restore or enhance facial tissues
- Support and help retain a removable denture.
To learn more about dental implants and see if they may be appropriate for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Roth. He can help you better understand how dental implants work and if they would be ideal for your smile.