When most people
think of losing a tooth, they think of old men and women with gums flapping in
ill-fitting dentures. Although this may be an endearing image, it’s happily
outdated—these days we can replace teeth using the latest dental technology.
The result for patients is that they can enjoy functional, beautiful smiles
even after tooth loss!
Some traditional
methods of replacing missing teeth include using oral appliances such as
dentures and dental bridges. These solutions sit on top of the gum in order to
restore the appearance and functionality of missing teeth. Some patients find,
unfortunately, that dentures and bridges are somewhat lose or shaky when they
chew forcefully or speak.
A recent dental
innovation—dental implants—has made it possible to replace teeth with a natural
looking and feeling solution. Additionally dental implants can be used with
existing dental appliances, like dentures and dental bridges, to increase
patient-satisfaction and usability.
Dental implants are
simply small titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. The
titanium post is eventually capped with a natural-looking restoration. After
the implant is inserted, the titanium actually bonds with the surrounding
natural bone. As a result, dental implants provide superior stability and
longevity.
Some patients choose
to use dental implants to replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or a full set of
teeth—depending on the patient’s needs. Dental implants are also often
preferred because they are a permanent tooth replacement solution—lasting up to
twenty years with proper care.
Additionally, some
patients prefer not to have a full set of dental implants, choosing rather to
use a few strategically placed dental implants to anchor existing dentures ore
dental bridges. Because both dentures and bridges sit on top of the gum tissue,
they rely on the gums and surrounding teeth to keep them in place. Dental implants,
inserted into the bone, can stabilize the dentures and dental bridges. In many
cases existing dentures and bridges can actually be retrofitted to work in
conjunction with dental implants.
No matter what your preferred tooth replacement option, dental implants may be able to increase their comfort and functionality. With a variety of tooth replacement options at your disposal, there’s no reason to avoid getting the necessary, health-saving treatment you need. If you want to learn more about dental implants feel free to talk to a Longmont dental implant dentist at 303-776-4229.