If you’ve lost a tooth and want to replace it with a prosthetic that’s as close to the natural tooth as possible, you may want to consider dental implants as a treatment option.
Dental implants are unique among tooth replacement methods because the implant – made of biocompatible titanium – meaning allows for surrounding bone to form a bond with it after it is inserted into the jaw. This means that the implant serves as an excellent artificial tooth root. No other tooth replacement treatment has such a root-like structure.
After an implant is successfully integrated with the patient’s jawbone, the prosthodontist can create a life-like prosthetic crown, bridge, or denture to be supported by the implant(s).
The structural similarities between dental implants and natural teeth offer many advantages to patients. Dental implants help maintain the integrity of the jaw following tooth loss. In the absence of a tooth’s root, the jawbone will erode over time. If a conventional dental bridge or denture is used in tooth replacement, the bone will slowly wear away. An implant, however, helps to preserve the bone, reducing the likelihood that the prosthetic will need to be replaced as the jaw’s shape changes over time.
The physical connection between the dental implant and the jaw also helps the implant perform better when it comes to chewing. An implant can withstand normal chewing forces, allowing patients to maintain a more varied diet. Of course, patients should always use common sense—you shouldn’t chew anything with your dental implants that you shouldn’t chew with your natural teeth.
Dental implants also are able to stand alone, without support from surrounding teeth, making it easy to incorporate dental implants into your regular oral hygiene routine. After the implant has fully healed, you can brush and floss around an implant just like a natural tooth.
If you want a treatment option following tooth loss that is very similar to a natural tooth, explore dental implants as a possible solution. Schedule a consultation with our team at the Dallas office of Dr. Greg Seal today at 214.361.0883 to learn more about this treatment and determine whether it might be the right choice for you.