Are Dental Implants Your Best Choice To Replace Missing Teeth?
Dental implants have revolutionized the process of replacing missing teeth. Today’s dental implants are incredibly strong and very durable. With care, the implants themselves should last as long as you live. Dr. Cary A. Shatto at American Family Dental in Dallas, TX is proud to offer dental implants for people who want to replace missing teeth.
Old School Meets New School
The traditional solution for missing teeth fell into one of two categories: a dental bridge to replace a few missing teeth, or a full “arch” of dentures when all the upper or lower teeth were gone. There’s also the option of a partial denture to replace a few missing teeth.
Bridges and full and partial dentures are still used today, but dental implants have made an enormous and beneficial change in how those restorations are secured.
A dental implant is a small screw, usually made of titanium or a titanium alloy, that’s inserted into the bone where a tooth has gone missing. The bone fuses to the implant and holds it just as securely as your natural tooth root. In fact, implants function as replacement tooth roots, transferring the pressure of chewing to the bone and keeping it strong and healthy.
An abutment attaches to the implant, and the restoration is attached to the abutment. The result is a replacement tooth (with a single implant) or teeth (with several implants) that function, look, and feel just like your natural teeth.
As an example, when dentures are supported or retained by dental implants, you get back up to 90 percent of your chewing power! That means you comfortably chew (and swallow) steaks, bite confidently into apples, and enjoy all the foods you love.
Not only that, but you can laugh freely, smile widely, and feel good about how you look.
Are Implants Right For You?
Most people are candidates for dental implants, but there are some important things to consider. The most important is the strength and thickness of the underlying bone that will support the implants.
When a tooth is lost, so is the stimulation that helps keep the bone healthy. It begins to slowly deteriorate, and when one or more teeth have been lost for years, there may not be enough healthy bone to handle the enormous stresses of chewing.
There are steps that can be taken to restore the bone – bone grafting and sinus lifts, for instance – so don’t despair if your tooth or teeth have been gone for a while.
Some other conditions, such as gum disease, may need to addressed before implants can be placed. Again, don’t worry – Dr. Cary A. Shatto at American Family Dental in Dallas, TX is well-versed in providing the services you need.
Get Started On Your Path To New Teeth And A Great Smile!
The only way to know whether implants are your best choice to replace missing teeth is to schedule a consultation with American Family Dental. Dr. Shatto will conduct a thorough examination and take detailed images to assess the condition of your bone.
Call American Family Dental in Dallas, TX at 214-360-7261 to schedule a consultation.