If You’re Missing One Or More Teeth, You Have Options When It Comes To How To Best Replace Them. However, One Method Shines As The Gold Standard, And This Post Explains Why It’s Often The Best Solution.
At Sharp Dentistry in Miami, Florida, Dr. Bruno Sharp and our extensive team of dental experts help you enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles. If you’re missing one or more teeth, your smile may not be as nice as you’d like. Dr. Sharp offers several options for replacing missing teeth; however, the gold standard for teeth replacement is dental implants.
Although you may not like the way you look with a missing tooth, there are additional causes for concern. Losing just one tooth can lead to a host of problems and may result in changes to the way your face looks. Dental implants are the only tooth-replacement option that addresses such long-term effects.
Why implants work so well
Almost three-quarters of American adults between 35 and 44 years of age have lost at least one permanent tooth. The roots of your teeth reach all the way to your jawbone, and part of their job is to stimulate that bone. When the roots are gone, your jawbone actually begins to slowly dissolve.
Another problematic issue with missing teeth is that your remaining teeth move and shift into the empty space. This can cause those teeth to begin to loosen and eventually fall out, leading to a cascade of tooth loss.
Eventually, all of your teeth can fall out. When that happens, your face begins to appear sunken, even if you wear dentures. This is because dentures and bridges can’t stimulate your jawbone and keep it healthy.
What to expect when you get a dental implant
Before you begin the process of getting an implant, Dr. Sharp provides a thorough consultation and examines your remaining teeth, as well as makes sure your jawbone and gum health make you a good candidate for the procedure. Some people need to have a bone graft or receive treatment for periodontal disease prior to getting an implant. We do both right here in our office for your convenience.
The implant itself is made of surgical-grade titanium that resembles a tiny screw. Your jawbone fuses with the screw threads in a process called osseointegration.
Once osseointegration is complete, Dr. Sharp will place an abutment on the implant. The abutment is a small post. Once your gums heal, the final step of the process, usually the placement of a crown on the abutment, is performed.
If you’re missing more than one tooth, dental implants can be the anchor to support permanent partial or full dentures to preserve your jawbone health and give you a natural-looking smile. This means you’ll look younger and enjoy being able to speak, chew, and smile normally.
Additional benefits of dental implants
In addition to preserving the health of your jawbone and your natural appearance, dental implants have other benefits compared to bridgework or dentures. For example, dental implants have a very high success rate, in the 89-98% range, and with proper care, can last for a lifetime. When you opt for dental implants, you also get the mental, emotional, and psychological benefits associated with having a beautiful smile and restored functionality.
If you’re ready to get your smile fixed and enjoy better oral health, call us today or book online.