Adult teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, but tooth loss remains a very common problem. Almost every patient is going to lose at least one adult tooth or have an adult tooth extracted at some point in their life. When this takes place, it is important to restore the patient’s smile as quickly as possible in order to prevent ongoing oral health problems.
The History of Smile Restorations
For many years, a patient’s only option to restore their smile was removable devices such as dentures. These devices will partially improve the function of one’s teeth, but they also came with some major disadvantages.
In addition to many patients finding them uncomfortable to wear, they will also not stimulate the bone under the gums. When a tooth is lost and the bone is no longer stimulated, it will become much weaker and increase the risk of a fracture taking place.
A Look at Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent alternative to dentures for restoring a smile. This process begins with a close examination of the patient’s remaining teeth, gums, and general oral health.
While most patients who have lost one or more teeth will make excellent candidates for this procedure, it is important that they are in relatively good health. There are certain medical conditions such as gum disease that will increase the risk of the implant being rejected.
On the day of the procedure, the titanium rods are anchored into their mouth. The patient’s mouth will heal and form a tight bond with these rods.
The dentist may then attach an abutment to the rod and place a false tooth over the abutment. The rod may remain implanted in the bone for the rest of the patient’s life.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
The primary benefit of this procedure is the fact that these devices look and feel just like real teeth. Once the swelling has gone down, most patients never even realize that they have an implant in their mouth.
Implants are incredibly durable and can be taken care of just like real teeth. Patients need to do nothing more than brush, floss and use mouthwash daily.
In addition to smiling and eating with confidence, patients with implants will also be able to avoid many of the serious health conditions that can take place after a tooth is lost. With the proper care, patients will be able to enjoy their beautiful new smile for the rest of their life.
Contact Blue Turtle Dental today to schedule your appointment and see if dental implants are the ideal procedure for you.