A dental bridge tends to last about 10 years, while removable dentures may need to be replaced every 5 years. But what if we could secure a new tooth (or teeth) that could last much, much longer? In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about what makes dental implants last so long!
The Loss of Your Natural Teeth
First, how does tooth loss happen and what does this do to your smile? Well, we could lose a tooth as a result of an injury or a case of severe tooth decay or infection. In most cases, the periodontitis stage of periodontal disease is responsible for the missing tooth or teeth. When you lose teeth, this gap could be a source of embarrassment, but it could also cause teeth to shift to create misalignment. You could strain your jaw joints, leading to painful issues like TMJ disorder or even chronic teeth grinding. You could also have issues eating or speaking if you have a more severe case. But we can help by with a durable and lifelike solution known as dental implants.
Securing New Roots
Then key to the longevity of your dental implants is the implant portion itself. These are screw-like in appearance, and made from titanium, a biocompatible material that bonds with the bone structure like natural root structure. This means we essentially provide new roots for your smile, which keeps the jawbone from eroding, so your new teeth can stay in place for years to come, decides or possibly even a lifetime with proper care and attention! Our team will plan the process in detail with digital imaging, so we can choose the right angle, position, and depth to insert these new roots and support your new teeth.
Completing a Dental Implant
When your dental implants are placed, we will then complete them to ensure a lifelike appearance and a durable chewing surface. For example, for an individual one we will connect an abutment and then attach a dental crown to the tooth, which completes it and offers a natural appearance. If you have a larger gap and several posts, we could attach a bridge or possibly even a denture to the posts, so you can obtain a full smile that looks and functions like a natural one.
If you have any questions about how we treat tooth loss with implant dentistry, or ensuring your new teeth last for as long as possible, then contact our team today. We look forward to helping you smile with confidence, and enjoy better bite function and oral health as a result.
Dental Impressions Provides Long-Lasting Tooth Replacement
Our team wants to help address lost teeth and support results that look natural, so talk to us about receiving one or more dental implants. To schedule an appointment for tooth replacement, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
