Dental implants are the most reliable and longest-lasting tooth replacement option available today. Unlike other tooth replacements, the innovative implant process not only restores the lost tooth crown, but it replaces the roots as well, to provide other benefits that others can't. Here at Dr. Kristine Houck Morris's dental office in Easton, MD, we can help you decide if implants are a good choice for you. Read on to learn more!
How do dental implants work?
Dentures and bridges replace the crowns, or tops, of your teeth. Although these restorations improve your appearance and chewing ability, your new teeth may not feel or function quite the same as the teeth you just lost.
Conversely, a dental implant restores your entire tooth due to its position of being rooted in the jaw. Accordingly, this makes them feel just like your natural teeth when biting, chewing, speaking, performing oral hygiene.
As soon as your implants are placed in your jawbone, they begin to bond to the bone. This is thanks to how dental implants are small posts made of titanium, a lightweight metal that offers a unique bone-bonding ability.
The implant then becomes the root for your new tooth, which is topped with a dental crown connected with a screw-like abutment.
What benefits do implants offer?
Dental implants keep your jawbone strong by providing constant stimulation to the jawbone. When tooth roots are lost, your jawbone may shrink due to decreased stimulation. As a result of the shrinking, other teeth may loosen, and the muscles in the lower part of your face may begin to sag. In contrast, implants press on the jawbone, preventing bone shrinkage.
Shifting teeth are another consequence of tooth loss. The problem occurs when adjacent teeth begin to move toward the opening in your mouth. Adding an implant and dental crown prevents shifting, keeping your teeth straight.
Unlike bridges and dentures, there are no limits to the number of teeth that can be restored with dental implants. Implants can be connected to dentures and bridges for improved stability and comfort.
Your implants will likely last the rest of your life, making them a more economical option when you consider the lifetime costs of the various restoration methods.
Concerned? Give us a call
Fill the gaps in your smile with dental implants! Call your Easton, MD, dentist, Dr. Kristine Houck Morris, at (410) 770-9211 to schedule an appointment.