
May
Human beings are outliving their teeth. Thanks to advances in modern medicine, people are living longer now than at any time in human history. But the fact is, our teeth haven’t caught up with this newfound longevity. This means that most people will, at some point, lose one or more of their permanent teeth. The good news is that restorative implant dentistry can help people restore the smiles of their youth and regain essential functionality.
Restorative implant dentistry refers to the art and practice of replacing missing teeth with high-tech dental implants. A single implant replaces one missing tooth, while multiple teeth can be replaced with more than one implant. Implants can also be used as anchors for a dental bridge.
Understanding the three components of a dental implant will help visualize how they work. Dental implants are made with three components:
The primary benefit of a dental implant is that it functions nearly identically to the natural tooth it replaced. Patients will find their chewing ability fully restored, and there is no special care required. Implants are permanent, so there’s nothing to remove and clean. Equally important, replacing a missing tooth prevents bone loss that can occur in the jaw when a tooth isn’t replaced.
For most people, dental implants last a lifetime. They are extremely durable, and because they’re made with materials that don’t decay, you’ll never get a cavity in a dental implant. At some point, some dental implants need to be adjusted, but people rarely have to replace the entire implant.
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re a candidate for dental implants. However, there are a few requirements. First, you need to have sufficient jawbone to support the implant. If you’ve experienced bone loss, your dentist may have to do a bone graft. Also, other dental issues like gum disease and decay in neighboring teeth must be addressed before beginning the implant process.
Dr. Arvi Duka and the team at Framingham Family Dental Care in Framingham, MA, are here to answer your questions. Call our office today at (508) 665-2016 to schedule a consultation, or you can use our online form to request an appointment.