Adult tooth loss is a somewhat common byproduct of untreated tooth decay and impact-related injury. In these cases, extracting the damaged tooth protects against further decay in the affected tooth and ensures that any damage will not spread to the surrounding parts of the mouth.
After tooth loss, it’s crucial that the site of any lost teeth be treated to prevent infection or other complications and to ensure the form and function of a person’s smile and bite. Treatment options include dental bridges and dentures, as well as the most effective, longest-lasting, and most natural-looking and feeling tooth replacement solution, dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small post, typically made of titanium, that is implanted into a socket in a patient’s jawbone at the site of a missing tooth. Once implanted through a process called "osseointegration," implants fuse permanently with the jawbone, effectively creating a new, permanent root. Once a dental implant has fused with the jawbone, it creates an anchor point for a tooth replacement solution, like a dental crown.
In addition to looking and functioning exactly like natural teeth, dental implants stand out from other tooth replacement treatments in that they address tooth loss not only above the gumline but also at the root.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Why are dental implants so popular with patients who’ve suffered tooth loss? There is a rather impressive array of reasons. The most significant include:
- More than any other tooth replacement solution, implants offer the precise look and feel of natural teeth, allowing for unrestricted biting, chewing, and speaking.
- As they both replace a tooth’s root in the jawbone and provide a platform for above-the-gumline solutions, implants are more than a superficial solution.
- Implants support and stimulate the jawbone, which tends to lose density in the aftermath of tooth loss.
- Implants are incredibly durable, generally lasting well over a decade (with proper care, even a lifetime!) without requiring retreatment.
Dental Implants in Crown Point, IN
If you’re in the Crown Point area and would like to learn more about the wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments available to you, including dental implants as a permanent tooth replacement solution, contact dentists Dr. Rita Patel-Miller and Dr. Paul Miller and the team at Beacon Hill Dental to schedule a consultation!
