Six Interesting Facts About Dental Implants
Often there is a good reason that your dentist may have recommended dental implants to address concerns regarding an issue with your teeth. Implants look and feel like your natural teeth and provide a long-term solution to unsightly gaps and missing teeth. Roughly three million people in the U.S. have dental implants. They are an excellent alternative restorative treatment to other dental options such as dentures, bridges, and crowns. Dental implants boast a 99 percent success rate and are a permanent solution that is not reliant on the health and stability of surrounding teeth. The cosmetic dentists at Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX use dental implants to treat patients who are missing just one tooth or several teeth. These implants have not only changed their lives, but patients are thrilled with the way implant-supported restorations provide a natural-looking result.
Dental implants explained
For many years, dental bridges and dentures were the only options for men and women with missing teeth. While these devices aided in restoring the appearance of the patient’s smile, they require extra care and frequently led to atrophied gums and jawbone. But today, dental implants are a more viable option to act as a replacement dental root.
A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically placed directly into the jawbone to serve a natural tooth root. Once the post has fused with the bone and gum tissue, a custom implant can be attached. The post allows dentists to replace a missing tooth with an implant-supported crown. Patients missing several teeth have typically employed an implant-supported bridge or partial dentures, as well as a full arch with implant-supported dentures. Unlike some traditional restorations such as removable dentures, implant-supported restorations can be treated like natural teeth so patients can enjoy their favorite foods and continue a normal oral hygiene routine when it comes to brushing and flossing.
Six facts about dental implants
Want to know more about dental implants before you invest? Here are six interesting facts that may surprise you:
1. Long-lasting
Dental implants are designed to last for a long time. While dental bridges and dentures must be replaced throughout the years, dental implants can last a very long time. Patients in Plano, TX, with good oral hygiene, including regular visits to Parker West Dental Associates for routine examinations and cleanings, can enjoy their implants for many years. During your annual dental exam, our dentist will reassess the health of your implant restoration and implant(s) to determine if adjustments, repairs, or replacement is necessary.
2. They work for most people
In most cases, patients in Plano, TX who are missing one or more teeth may be considered a candidate for dental implants. It is necessary to undergo a thorough dental examination by a qualified dentist who is experienced in dental implants, such as the ones at Parker West Dental Associates. During this time, an assessment will determine whether your jaw has an adequate amount of bone and is healthy enough to support the implant. If not, bone grafting may be required. This procedure is designed to regenerate and restore the bone in advance of the placement of dental implants. Your gums must also be healthy and free of diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Implants are not recommended for patients who use tobacco products or are pregnant. Also, younger patients whose bones are immature, as well as those who take certain medications or have chronic medical conditions may not be suitable candidates for implants.
3. Designed in layers
Once you have decided to move forward with dental implants, the procedure itself takes place in three separate stages. Initially, the titanium post is inserted through the gums and then carefully placed in the jawbone, serving as a base. Next, an abutment, or connector, is attached to the top of the post in preparation for the final step. The custom-made crown, or prosthetic tooth, is attached to the abutment to complete the restoration process.
4. Dental Implants make good neighbors
Dental implants act just like your regular teeth. That means you do not have to worry about them harming neighboring teeth. While other restorative treatments may require the surrounding teeth to be altered in size or shape, this is not the case when prepping the area for dental implants. You can rest assured that your surrounding teeth will remain healthy and unaffected by the dental implant.
5. Built to last
The custom restoration attached to your dental implants is made from a durable ceramic material. The metal post implanted in your jawbone will be made of titanium, a substance that should not decay or corrode. That means your new implants are also resistant to cavities since it is artificial. You are free to eat whatever food you choose without having to worry about damaging your new restoration. However, implants are not impervious to staining by tough agents like red wine and berries. You also must take care of dental implants, surrounding teeth, and gums with daily brushing and flossing. Lastly, patients no longer have to laboriously soak their dentures overnight or apply messy denture glue every morning to enjoy their smile.
6. No one will know
The cosmetic dentists at Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX ease patient concerns by answering all of their questions regarding if the results will look natural in appearance once the implant is in place. Every implant-supported restoration is custom-designed by our experienced dentists and then crafted in a dental laboratory. The result is so natural that your friends and family will not even notice a difference when you smile between your natural teeth and the dental implants unless you tell them.
How can I schedule a consultation?
Are you ready to smile more confidently, laugh freely, and speak without hesitation? If so, dental implants may be the solution to finally fixing those inhibiting spaces leftover from tooth loss. To learn more about this fantastic restorative treatment, please contact the office of Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX, to schedule a consultation. Our cosmetic dentists expertly and attentively explain the process behind dental implants and create a customized treatment plan to help achieve your goals. Contact us today and see why so many men and women in Plano, TX are happy the results of their dental implants.