Not all replacement teeth are the same. Some are designed for a single lost tooth (like a dental bridge), while others are equipped to rebuild your smile after severe or total tooth loss (like partial and full dentures). What they all share, however, is the need for a support system that mimics your lost teeth roots as closely as the restoration mimics their crowns. That’s where dental implants come in.
The Science Behind Dental Implants
A dental implant, as the name suggests, is a small root-like post that’s placed, or implanted, into your jawbone where the root of a lost tooth once was. As your jawbone heals, it fuses to the implant’s titanium surface, holding it secure in much the same way as a natural root. Once you’ve healed, the implant post can be topped with an abutment that protrudes above the gum line and allows us to attach your appropriate dental prosthetic (i.e., dental crown, bridge, or denture).
The Immediate Difference
If you already wear a dental bridge or denture, you’ll notice the difference of dental implants almost immediately. By providing anchors for your replacement teeth, implants offer significant more stability than traditional prosthetics, which rely on adhesives and hidden clasps for support. The increased stability means your new teeth won’t shift and move around, but rather remain sturdily attached to their prosthetic roots whenever you bite and chew.
The Long-Term Benefits
You might not notice at first, but every time you lose a tooth, particularly its root, your jawbone loses a small portion of its allotted minerals and nutrients. Even if you replace the top portions of your teeth with a bridge or denture, your jawbone will eventually lose density due to the loss of their roots. By reestablishing the root, and the stimulation that helps maintain its nutrient supply, dental implants help sustain your jawbone’s strength and integrity and reduce the risk of further tooth loss.
ABOUT YOUR FUQUAY VARINA DENTIST:
For over 15 years, Dr. Michele Collier and the talented professionals at Waterstone Family Dentistry have provided comfortable, compassionate dental care to patients of all ages from Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as Holly Springs, Angier, Willow Springs, Raleigh, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to learn more, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Collier by calling (919) 557-5250 today.
