Dental Implants
There are many options for restoration in the wake of tooth loss, but modern dental implants have quickly become the gold standard for tooth replacement. While traditional options like bridges or dentures can replace one or more lost teeth, these measures fail to address one of the largest concerns associated with tooth loss which is bone deterioration.
The dental implant specialist at Fioritto Family Dental is happy to provide you with a range of options for restoring your smile after tooth loss and provide recommendations based on your particular needs. However, there’s no denying the benefits that implants provide. What makes this option so attractive and what can you expect? Here’s what you need to know.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants typically consist of three parts. The implant itself is a titanium screw that is placed in the jaw, where the roots of teeth formerly sat, so it can bond with the bone to create a stable base for your false tooth. This screw is topped with an abutment, which acts to connect the base to a crown that resembles the natural tooth you lost.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The benefits of dental implants are numerous, beginning with the fact that implants are the only method of restoration that reduces bone loss in the jaw following tooth loss. The titanium screw, which is the anchor of the implant, essentially takes the place of the tooth root. This ensures the bone retains density and mass.
In addition, dental implants are strong, long-lasting, and most closely mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth. After the titanium screw is placed, the crown of the implant will be designed to fit perfectly and will seat in the gum tissue. This helps to prevent bacteria from growing beneath the gum line and thus minimize the chance for gum disease and tooth decay.
Dental implants function as natural teeth. Implant patients can eat and drink normally, without fear of false teeth becoming dislodged. Smile and laugh without slippage, and brush and floss without impediment. You simply cannot get all of these benefits from any other form of restoration.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, and even create a foundation for fixed dentures, extensive bridgework, or support removable dentures. In many cases, dental implants can be placed the same day after a tooth extraction, but sometimes a patient needs to wait to heal. Some patients have to be treated for an infection, while others may require a bone graft to strengthen the jaw bone in preparation for the implant procedure.
What to Expect
Dental implant procedures can be performed under local anesthesia, but sedation dentistry is available for patients with dental anxiety or other concerns. Dental implants can last up to 20 years or more with proper care, including diligent oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Crowns can last up to 15 years or more. Dental implants enjoy a 95% success rate, far surpassing other restorations.
If you want to restore your smile following tooth loss, contact the dental team at Fioritto Family Dental today at 440-951-5511 or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.
