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Learn About Dental Implants
Dental implants are used for a number of reasons, from simply improving the look of your mouth and smile to easier eating and improved speech. Dental implants are basically replacement tooth roots.
They provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth that are made to match your own. If you have healthy gums, i.e. no gum disease and enough bone to hold the implant in place, dental implants shouldn’t be a problem.
If you’re a heavy smoker or suffer from diabetes, heart disease or other disorders, it’s important you talk to an experienced dentist like Dr. Gatgens, because dental implants might not be your best bet.
Also, if you’ve had radiation therapy in the past, you’ll need extra evaluation.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Once you and Dr. Gatgens agree to go ahead with the procedure, a tooth root implant which is made of titanium is placed into the bone socket of your missing tooth. As the jaw bone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it in the jaw.
Once the implant has bonded, a small connector is attached to the post to hold the new tooth.
The next steps, involve teeth impressions to create a model of your bite. When your new tooth is created – called a crown – Dr. Gatgens attaches the crown.
When you work with a great dentist, your new replacement tooth will look as natural as your own, right down to the color. It will blend with your teeth and natural alignment.
Considerations to Think About
If you grind your teeth, the dental implant’s location in your mouth can influence the success of your treatment. The location of your missing tooth also matters, since if it’s in a stronger and thicker part of your jaw, it will give you more long-lasting results with dental implants.
Dental implants can support multiple dental prosthetics from crowns (a single tooth), to a bridge (for multiple teeth) or even dentures (which is a removable dental implant). They can improve your smile, boost your self-esteem, make eating and drinking more comfortable, even improve the shape of your face.
For more details about dental implants and other cosmetic dentistry needs, visit Accent Smile Center in TN.