When you lose a natural tooth, not only the appearance of your smile is affected. Oral health also suffers. For this reason, it is crucial that a suitable replacement for even a single missing tooth is found as quickly as possible. In a large majority of cases, tooth replacement can be successfully achieved with implant dentistry. At Smile Creations in Covington, dental implants are at the top of the list of treatment options for tooth loss.
Meeting goals with dental implants
For over a century, the goal of tooth replacement treatments has been to reinstate an authentic appearance of a healthy smile. Of course, dentists sought also to give their patients back the highest degree of chewing function, but standard dentures and bridges are capable of only so much. This is because they focus on the replacement of teeth, neglecting the importance of a solid root system. This is where dental implants are superior; they are the roots for your new teeth.
Dental implants are tiny posts made of titanium or a metal-free alternative. These fixtures become the new foundation onto which a crown, bridge, or denture can be placed. The strength of this foundation is very close to natural teeth roots, which is why many patients feel no difference between their own teeth and implants.
Benefits of implant dentistry
What patients gain from implant dentistry is more than a new tooth, or even a brand new smile. One of the significant advantages of dental implants is stabilization of bone beneath the surface. Although this benefit cannot literally be seen, it is certainly worthwhile. When there are no roots, bone that supports remaining teeth as well as facial structure, breaks down. Bone tissue can only be preserved with stimulation from roots or implants. After the initial implant procedure, bone grows around the new structures and obtains stimulation from them when chewing occurs. This ongoing activity prevents the collapse of cheeks and lips.
Replacing missing teeth with implant dentistry is, for many people, a life-changing experience. This is because implants don’t just restore the appearance of teeth, they also reestablish the joys of eating, smiling, speaking, and laughing without embarrassment or worry.
Dr. Carrington and the team at Smile Creations seek the best for our patients. To schedule your visit to discuss options for tooth replacement, call (770) 786-2754.
