What’s the most important thing to consider when replacing the teeth you’ve lost? For your confidence’s sake, the replacements should look as much like your natural teeth as possible. For your dental health’s sake, they should function as well as healthy teeth, too. Most dental bridges and dentures can adequately restore your smile’s beauty and ability to bite and chew, but without roots (like natural teeth have), their restorative benefits are limited. Dental implants are the missing link between natural teeth and replacement teeth, and can offer the same support for your smile that your natural teeth’s roots offer.
How They Can Save Your Smile
The immediate benefit of securing your dental crown, bridge, or denture to an appropriate number of implants is the stability. A dental implant is a root-shaped device that can be surgically-inserted into your jawbone, which fuses to the titanium post as it heals (on average, healing lasts between four and six months). Though not as obvious, the more comprehensive benefit of dental implants is that they restore the presence of teeth roots, and can promote a healthy flow of nutrients to your jawbone when they’re stimulated by biting and chewing.
Who Benefits from Dental Implants?
If you’re an adult and you’ve lost one or more teeth, than chances are you’re a viable candidate for dental implant placement. If it’s been a while since you’ve lost your teeth, however, your jawbone may have already lost a significant amount of mass and density, which can make implant placement more difficult. While dental implants can help preserve the density of your remaining jawbone structure, some patients may require a bone graft prior to the implant procedure to strengthen the jawbone. If gum disease or tooth decay is present, it will also have to be successfully treated before you can receive your dental implants.
ABOUT YOUR ROCHESTER DENTISTS:
Calcagno Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offer expert services including teeth whitening, Six Month Smiles, Clear Aligner Systems, root canals, and pediatric dentistry. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 218-8936. Dr. Calcagno and Dr. Heimer welcome and serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, Austin, and the surrounding communities.
