How Dental Implants Work

Senior man smiling. Caption: Dental implants are the most advanced treatment available.

Dental implants are the most advanced treatment currently available for missing teeth. They allow us to install replacement teeth that look, feel, and function naturally. Years of research and experimentation have resulted in implant procedures with a very high success rate, allowing us to restore your bite even better than before.

Getting dental implants is a surgical procedure in which a small metal post is inserted directly into the jawbone previously occupied by your tooth roots. This post is usually allowed to heal and integrate with your jawbone before being topped with a dental crown. Although, in some cases, it is possible to do this all at once. Gum tissue can be encouraged to grow around the prosthetic in much the same way that it does a normal tooth. This hides the metal abutment and produces the appearance of a healthy, natural tooth.

The Best Biocompatible Materials

Most dental implants are composed of titanium, a metal whose strength and durability are well known. More recently, an alternate option has been produced in the form of zirconia, a type of ceramic. Both materials are functional choices. Although titanium continues to be the most common, zirconia is mainly chosen by those who are leery of metal implants.

Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible materials, meaning that your body has no negative reaction. Your bone will grow around the implant and secure it in place, a process called osseointegration. This process makes the implant procedure possible. Although this is different than the way your natural teeth attach to the bone, it is just as sturdy and stable and allows for permanent implants that will last a lifetime.

Mutually Supportive Structures

Your natural teeth are supported by the bone and gum tissue around them. When a tooth is lost, those structures begin to recede, leaving a gap in the jawbone and in the gums. Replacing a tooth with a dental implant encourages the supporting structures to remain and halts their deterioration. It is the best method for preserving the natural structure of your mouth after a tooth is lost.

Healthy Teeth for Life

Your new, healthy teeth can last a lifetime with proper care and cleaning. There is no reason that old age or disease should result in a toothless mouth. Whether to support individual crowns, fixed bridges, or a full set of dentures, dental implants will allow you to smile, speak, and eat comfortably your whole life. Call or contact us by requesting an appointment online.

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