Has tooth loss affected your smile? If you’ve lost one or more teeth, dental implants offer an attractive, effective way to improve your smile. The dentists at Dr. George Salem and Associates in Braintree, MA, explain how implants can fill the gaps in your smile.
Implants offer a complete restoration option
If you’ve been considering your restoration choices, you know that dentures and dental bridges only replace teeth above the gum line. Dental implants are the only option that replaces your entire tooth, starting at the roots. Implants consist of small titanium posts that are placed in the spaces that your roots once occupied during a minor oral surgical procedure.
Your implants wouldn’t be very effective if they just rested loosely in your jawbone. Without a firm connection to your jawbone, they wouldn’t be able to support a dental crown and would wiggle every time you took a bite. Luckily, implants are made of titanium, a metal that bonds to bone. Once you receive your implant, it only takes about three to six months for bonding to occur. When your dentist determines that the implant has completely fused to your jawbone, it will be topped with a dental crown in our Braintree office. The crown closes the gap in your smile and also allows you to chew normally.
The unique benefits of dental implants
Dental implants offer a few very special advantages, such as:
- Versatility: Implant can replace any number of missing teeth. They’re an excellent choice if you wear dentures and are looking for a more comfortable, stable restoration option.
- Excellent Comfort and Biting Power: Gum irritation can sometimes occur if you have dentures or bridges, particularly if they don’t fit well. Irritation isn’t a problem with dental implants. Because the parts of your new tooth act as one unit, there’s nothing to rub against your gums when you take a bite.
- Longevity: Dentures must be relined, rebased or replaced every 10 to 15 years. Bridges also must be replaced after 10 to 15 years. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, although you may need to replace the dental crown.
Close the gaps in your smile with dental implants. Call your dentists at Dr. George Salem and Associates in Braintree, MA, at (781) 613-8766 to schedule an appointment.