Tooth loss can happen at any age for many reasons … trauma, excessive decay, disease … or maybe teeth never erupted correctly. A solution that is closest to biological teeth is to restore missing teeth with dental implants.
Your dentist will qualify you as a candidate by reviewing your overall health and performing a comprehensive dental exam. This will include dental x-rays to ascertain there is sufficient bone in the jaw where the implant is to be placed.
Bone must be present as it is needed to fuse with the implant. The implant itself is a small titanium post that will be surgically placed in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. Over the next months while the surgical area heals, bone will merge with the implant to form the support structure that will perform much like the roots of a natural tooth. This fusing process is referred to as osseointegration.
It is important to properly care for the implant area by keeping it clean to prevent infection, a leading cause of implant failure. In addition, tobacco use in any form is highly discouraged as smoking is another major cause of implant loss.
Oral bone loss is a major reason why tooth loss occurs … when the bones in the jaw begin to deteriorate, teeth lose their stability. There are procedures available that will fortify bone so an implant can be successfully completed.
Once the implant area has healed and x-rays reveal that bone and implant have fused allowing the post to become a permanent part of the dental anatomy, the final restoration can be placed. This restoration will have been fabricated to match your natural teeth in size, shape, and shade making your implanted tooth blend perfectly.
Now that your lost teeth have been restored, you can enjoy all the foods you love; speak with confidence; and laugh without embarrassment.
Caring for your implant is the same as what you would normally do … brush at least twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dentist every six months for cleaning and exam. Your dentist will strive to make sure your newly implanted teeth remain strong and functional for your lifetime; you need to work to maintain your remaining natural teeth by limiting harmful snacks and beverages and don’t smoke.
To learn more about implant dentistry, contact our office at 940-293-2635.