What makes dental implants different from other replacement options?
Traditionally, patients who lost teeth relied on prosthetics like bridges or dentures. These prosthetics, while effective to a certain degree, often led to bone atrophy because they rested on top of the gums. With bridges, many patients encountered difficulty keeping their gums clean underneath the bridge and in some cases, developed gum disease. Dentures also presented a few complications as well. As the mouth begins to change shape from bone atrophy, dentures would ultimately begin to move in the mouth when speaking and eating. These prosthetics also limit a person’s diet because chewing tough foods is difficult.
Dental implants, on the other hand, replace tooth structure below the gums. Using a special titanium rod with a ridged texture, our periodontist will embed this rod through dental surgery directly into the jawbone. Through a process called osseintegration, the implant will stabilize as bone fuses around the titanium rod. This natural process allows the implant to act as a missing tooth’s root where it will ultimately support a prosthetic crown.
After the initial dental surgery, patients undergo a recovery period. When the implant is stable, a prosthetic crown will be attached to the titanium rod and complete the tooth replacement process. Crowns are tooth-shaped prosthetics and come in a variety of materials. They will fill in the space of a lost tooth above the gum line.
How do I know if implants are right for me?
Since dental implants are not right for every patient, you should schedule a tooth replacement consultation with our periodontist to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. After an examination, our team will present you with your tooth replacement options.
To reserve you appointment, contact the office of Dr. Beth Tomlin today.