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What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a revolutionary treatment option for replacing teeth that are missing or too damaged to repair. Dental implants are permanent replacement teeth that look and feel like your regular teeth. They feel natural because they are embedded directly into the jawbone in the same manner that your other teeth are. That’s why you can care for them just as you would with your other teeth.
Now here’s the really great news! You will never have to remove your dental implants when you sleep and you won’t have to take them out of your mouth for cleaning. Unlike dentures, dental implants won’t slide around in your gums because they are part of your mouth. So there will be no more worrying about what you can or cannot eat with your new dental implants.
With dental implants, the fixture that holds the entire implant in place is anchored to your jawbone. And the amazing titanium technology of the fixture enables a remarkable process called osseointegration. This means that the implant becomes integrated into your living tissue in the same manner that the roots of your regular teeth do.
Health, Looks, Comfort, Convenience
Convenience is not the only advantage that dental implants offer over dentures. Getting dental implants actually enhances the health of your entire mouth. With alternative treatments, your remaining teeth have a tendency to slide around. This causes pain and increases the likelihood that you will develop gum disease. This can result in even more tooth loss.
However, dental implants fill those gaps between your teeth, reinforcing the position of your other teeth and greatly reducing the risk of further tooth loss. Not only that, but chewing with dental implants also increases the blood flow to your jaw. This will eliminate the possible jawbone deterioration which is commonly associated with having missing teeth.
And here’s some more good news: You can care for your dental implants the same way you care for the rest of your teeth. You never have to take them out for cleaning. Health, comfort, looks, and convenience make dental implants an outstanding decision for tooth replacement.
What Are The Parts Of A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a surgically-fitted replacement for a lost or missing tooth. Dental implants consist of three parts: the fixture, the abutment and the crown.
The implant fixture is a small post made of titanium that is surgically screwed into the jawbone. It serves as an anchor, attaching all three pieces of the implant to your jaw.
The abutment attaches to the top of the fixture. It’s the piece in the middle of the implant, connecting the fixture to your crown.
Finally, on top of the abutment is the crown. It’s the part of the implant that people see. It looks and feels just like your regular teeth and it blends in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.
Smile With Confidence
Dental implants offer numerous advantages over alternatives like bridges and dentures: First of all, dental implants look and feel just like your original teeth, so you can smile with confidence. They are strong and secure and they won’t move around in your mouth like dentures can. The various drawbacks and complications you would experience with dentures or bridges are all virtually eliminated with dental implants.
Unlike dentures and bridges which can increase the probability of a person incurring detrimental dental conditions such as tooth decay, gum disease and further loss of teeth, dental implants will actually improve your overall dental health.
Because they hold your remaining teeth in place by filling in the gaps between them, dental implants make your whole mouth healthier. And dental implants work to increase the strength of your jaw every time you chew by delivering oxygenated blood to your bones.
By helping to preserve the health of your jaw and your remaining teeth, dental implants can halt the deterioration of your mouth. This can spare you the anguish that results from the complications commonly associated with other tooth-replacement remedies such as bridges and dentures.
Dental Implants Provide Superior Comfort And Health Benefits Over Dental Bridges
Bridges are anchored to your remaining healthy teeth and this puts tremendous pressure on them. Over time, this constant tugging on your healthy teeth can damage your gums and cause the teeth to come loose. The pressure that bridges put on your healthy teeth can even cause them to crack or fracture. And even under the best circumstances, you will need to go through the tedious process of replacing dental bridges at some point.
Dental Implants Eliminate The Hassles of Dentures and Dental Bridges
Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants are hassle-free. They don’t complicate your oral hygiene routine in any way. You care for them the same way you take care of your regular teeth. Dental implants don’t require special cleaning utensils, and you will never need to remove or clean your dental implants like you would with dentures. Another advantage of dental implants is that they don’t require foul-tasting adhesives to stay in place the way dentures do.
Dentures are an outdated solution to the age-old problem of tooth loss. They reduce your quality of life on a daily basis. Dentures promise a future of pain, embarrassment, inconvenience and the further deterioration of your mouth. They make eating a constant chore instead of the pleasure it should be.
With dentures, the problems will only increase as time goes on. Your jawbone will continue to deteriorate, your cheeks will sink in, eating and even speaking will become more difficult and you will become more and more frustrated. This is why many people with dentures become so self-conscious about their looks and the difficulty they have eating that they begin to dread going out in public, especially to eat.
Dental Implants Provide Several Advantages Over The Alternatives
Dental implants offer a long list of advantages over the two major alternatives, dentures and dental implants:
- Hassle-free maintenance. Take care of them like your natural teeth
- You can continue to eat your favorite foods worry-free
- Protects the health of your gums which will also prevent further tooth loss
- Can last a lifetime when properly placed and cared for
- Prevent sagging of the face which commonly occurs with tooth loss
- Protects the health of your jaw
- Dental implants won’t decay
- They don’t interfere with your ability to speak like dentures and missing teeth can
Dental Implants Will Make Eating Fun Again
Getting dental implants will make going to restaurants fun again. You probably have enough things to worry about in your life already, why would you want to add eating to the list? Life is too short for you to be constantly concerned about what you can and cannot eat. Getting dental implants will eliminate your pain and make eating enjoyable. Imagine how fantastic it will be to taste your favorite foods again.
Dental implants offer peace of mind that you will not get with the alternatives. And they will greatly enhance your self-esteem by dramatically improving your appearance. Are you ready to go back to the rich and healthy life you had before? So contact Dr. Grubb’s office right away to find out if dental implants are the right solution for you.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care and regular visits to our Havre de Grace office, your dental implants can last a lifetime. They’re surgically affixed to your jawbone, resulting in unmatched stability and durability. While the implant itself can last decades, you may need to replace the crown, bridge, or denture it’s attached to with normal wear and tear.
To ensure the longevity of your dental implant, you’ll want to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and rinse between meals. In addition to following a regular oral hygiene routine, it’s important to schedule biannual appointments at our office.
During these visits, we’ll examine your dental implant and restoration to ensure they’re in excellent condition. We’ll also perform a professional cleaning and assess your teeth and gums, so we can recommend any treatments or tips that will improve the health of your smile.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Insurance typically covers a portion of the expenses for dental implants, such as the restoration. We recommend checking with your provider prior to your appointment for a better understanding of your coverage.
At Family Implant & Restorative Dentistry, we understand the importance of insurance coverage. We’ll help you file and track your claims, and do all we can to ensure you’re maximizing your insurance benefits. If there are any questions we can answer, don’t hesitate to call our Havre de Grace office at (410) 939-5800 and a helpful team member will be happy to assist you.
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