If you’re dealing with tooth loss, then this short article is for you. Our Elmhurst dentists are here to give you more information about restorative treatments to replace missing teeth. Keep reading to learn about dental implant technology, and how this type of replacement tooth can make your smile whole again!
When a patient loses a tooth, they often perseverate on the fact that there is a visible hole in their smile. Undoubtedly, this aesthetic issue is a big problem, and something that needs to be addressed. However, tooth loss also affects those hidden parts of your smile, under the gum tissue.
Every tooth has a natural tooth root that is anchored in the patient’s jawbone. This root holds the tooth in place, and helps to keep surrounding jawbone healthy and adjacent teeth in place. As you would imagine, when you lose a tooth, this natural dental structure is disrupted. As a result, you may start to lose jawbone tissue, and your teeth may start to shift along your gum line.
Dental implants help you avoid these problems because dental implants titanium roots that serve as replacement dental roots. The visible dental restoration is then attached on top of this titanium root. Thus, the replacement tooth stays in place permanently. Plus, dental implant patients report that it is exceptionally easy to speak, eat, and brush/floss with dental implants in place.
So far we’ve been talking about individual stand-alone dental implants. However, dental implant roots can also be used to permanently anchor larger dental prostheses like dentures and bridges. It generally takes only a few implant roots to anchor a prosthetic—a full denture, for example, can often be held in place with just four or five implant roots.
Our Elmhurst dental implant dentists are happy to give you more information about all of your tooth replacement options. No matter how you choose to restore your smile, our dental team strongly encourages you to seek prompt treatment in order to minimize potential long-term oral health side effects. Give us a call!