If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, then we can help. With implant dentistry, we can replace one or several missing teeth with an option that looks and functions like natural teeth. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about how we offer full smiles with dental implants.
The Impact of Your Tooth Loss
Missing teeth obviously changes the appearance of your smile and could cause you to feel more self-conscious. But missing teeth also impact the health and function of your smile. For example, misalignment could occur due to the gaps in your smile, allowing teeth to drift from position, leading to an increased risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth also limit your meal options and could cause issues with clear speech. You may be more at risk for complications like TMJ disorder and chronic teeth grinding (bruxism). The body will also respond by suspending the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw. Without these nutrients, the jaw gradually breaks down and shrinks, which leads to an older appearance and further tooth loss. However, with the placement of one or more dental implants, we can help prevent these issues from occurring!
Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of three main portions. The implant post is a screw-like post that is made from biocompatible titanium, and inserted directly into your jaw. The post bonds with the breakdown and acts like a new root, giving your replacement tooth the potential to last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime with proper care and attention. The next is the abutment, the part we attach to the post that extends above the gum line. Our team will use this to support the crown, the part that completes your new tooth. The crown provides a durable chewing surface and a lifelike appearance. If you have multiple missing teeth, then several posts could be used to support a bridge or even a fixed denture!
Placing and Restoring Your New Teeth
To get started, we will examine your smile with digital x-rays to ensure there is enough healthy structure to support the new posts. We then choose the best angle, position, and depth to insert these posts, and guide the process with advanced imaging systems. For an individual option, we may need to wait for the area to heal before we attach the abutment and crown. For multiple missing teeth, we could potentially support a set of dentures in only one visit.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH
Our team wants to help you find a long-lasting and durable solution to your lost teeth, so schedule a cosmetic appointment today. Call or text us at Greenview Dentistry in Rochester, MN, today at (507) 281-3659.
