Many patients who have been less than happy with dentures have found great satisfaction in getting dental implants that provide the look and feel of natural teeth. Unlike dentures, implants cannot slip in the mouth and cause embarrassment. But when considering dental implants North Andover residents need some solid information to help guide their treatment choice.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a type of dental construct made up of three basic parts:
- A metal post that is implanted into the jawbone
- An abutment that fits on top of the post
- A dental crown placed over the abutment
No other type of tooth restoration comes close to dental implants in terms of functionality, durability and reliability. Of course, nothing can completely replace a natural tooth. But dental implants come awfully close.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Fixed restoration
- Long-lasting solution to missing teeth
- Offers the look and feel of natural teeth
- Prevents bone loss
Fixed Restoration
As mentioned earlier, dental implants cannot slip as dentures are sometimes known to. The metal post that the other two components are attached to provide a solid foundation, allowing you to chew and eat your food as you did before you lost your original tooth.
Long-Lasting
Dentures and dental bridges do not last very long in comparison to dental implants. Properly cared for, a new dental implant can be expected to last for a lifetime.
Resembles Natural Teeth
Not only do dental implants resemble natural teeth in color and shape, they feel much like natural teeth. In fact, after getting a dental implant, you may eventually forget that it is not actually a natural tooth. No one will know the difference.
Prevents Bone Loss
Having a missing tooth goes beyond mere cosmetics in the immediate vicinity of the resulting gap. Your jawbone senses that there is no longer a tooth present and begins melting away – a process called resorption. This can even be seen in a collapse inward of the facial structure, particularly with missing front teeth.
Implants “trick” the jawbone into fusing around them to provide a solid foundation for chewing and biting.
One additional benefit of getting a dental implant is that it prevents teeth surrounding the resulting gap from shifting into this empty space.
The Implant Procedure
At your first appointment, your dentist will implant a titanium metal post into your jawbone. Over the next few months, your jawbone will fuse organically around your new implant.
An abutment can then be placed on top of the metal post, followed by a dental crown to cap off the entire structure.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a procedure that is sometimes necessary for patients who have insufficient jawbone mass to support an implant. After the grafted bone material has been fully integrated, the patient can schedule a dental implant appointment.
Your Dental Implant Consultation
If you are a resident of North Andover who will settle for nothing less than the best procedure to replace one or more missing teeth, contact our
dentist today to set up an initial
consultation.
