Dental implants offer the ideal way to fill a gap in your smile. Thanks to an innovative bonding process, your new teeth become a dental implantspermanent part of your smile when you choose implants. Our Bradford, ON, family dentist, Dr. Michael Laureola, discusses how implants work and explains how they can help you.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are designed to restore the roots of your missing teeth. The titanium posts, which resemble small screws, are placed in your jawbone in the spots once occupied by your roots. Unlike other types of metals, titanium is capable of bonding to bones. It’s most commonly used in hip replacements, but also offers a simple way to create brand new teeth from the roots up.
Obviously, your new tooth wouldn’t be very useful if it only consisted of a root. Once the implant bonds to your bone, it’s topped with a dental crown. The crown is created using an impression of your mouth taken in our Bradford office. Typically, you’ll need to wait about three to six months for bonding to occur before you receive your new crown.
Why should I choose dental implants?
If you’re thinking about restoring missing teeth, you’re probably also considering a bridge or dentures. These restorations effectively replace teeth above the gum line, but don’t restore your roots. Dentures rest on your gums, while artificial teeth in a bridge are supported by crowns that slide over adjacent teeth.
Unfortunately, dentures often slip and irritate the gums. Although irritation can be very uncomfortable, some denture wearers find the decrease in biting power particularly disappointing. Because dentures aren’t rooted in your mouth, they don’t offer the biting power needed to tear apart a piece of steak or even enjoy a piece of corn on the cob. Bridges can also be uncomfortable if they don’t fit well.
Luckily, dental implants offer a better alternative. Thanks to the bonding process, they’re firmly rooted in your mouth and can handle even the toughest foods. Many people report that implants feel just like natural teeth. If you choose implants, you’ll also avoid bone resorption, a problem that occurs when your jawbone no longer receives stimulation from your teeth roots. Resorption can shrink your jaw, lead to loose teeth and enhance the effects of aging due to facial sagging. No matter how many teeth you’ve lost, you can benefit from dental implants.
Restore your smile with dental implants. Call Bradford, ON, family dentist, Dr. Laureola, at (905) 778-9339 to schedule an appointment.