There are only relatively recently a variety of options for tooth replacement if you lost a permanent tooth. Once bridges and dentures were the only way to restore your smile to its’ full, healthy appearance. However, both those options require a lot of maintenance and don’t quite function the same as natural teeth.
Dental implants are the modern solution for tooth loss that preserves your oral health while maintaining the feel and function of natural teeth. Dr. Albert Caves of Caves Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is a leading implant and cosmetic dentist in Columbus, GA who has many years of experience helping patients restore their smile and confidence.
1. Implants last a lifetime
Dental implants are surgically embedded in the jawbone and normally never need to be removed. This means that dental implants can feasibly last for the rest of your life with proper care. The crown — the false tooth mounted on the implant — will need to be replaced every 10 years or so due to normal wear and tear, but the titanium post implanted into the jaw can last decades. Your dentist will need to see you regularly for check-ups to make certain your implant is still functioning correctly.
2. Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy
While replacing missing teeth may seem like merely a cosmetic concern, having a gap in your smile can actually cause the bone to recede in this space. This can potentially place the neighboring teeth or the jawbone structure itself at risk, and can cause a sunken appearance to the face or other complicated dental problems.
Dental implants replace the root of the missing tooth and bond with the bone tissue of your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This keeps the surrounding tissues in their appropriate places and preserves the shape and health of your smile.
3. Implants protect healthy teeth
In addition to keeping the jawbone healthy, dental implants help the teeth surrounding the missing tooth. Dental bridges — an older method of tooth replacement — requires grinding the surrounding teeth to serve as an anchor for the bridge. Implants are installed directly in the gap and do not need to be anchored by adjacent teeth. This means that the only teeth that are affected are the ones that need to be replaced.
4. Implants feel and function like natural teeth
With dental implants you can eat and brush your teeth exactly as you would with your natural teeth. Other, more established methods of tooth replacement such as bridges and removable dentures require specialized cleaning and can be less comfortable than implants. Dentures need to be removed, soaked in cleansers and kept in place in your mouth with sticky adhesive while bridges require skill to floss around. Implants do not need any special cleaning and can be brushed and flossed around exactly like your natural teeth.
Dental Implants in Columbus, GA
Implants are a long-term investment in your oral health. Caves Dentistry in Columbus,GA is focused on the long term maintenance of a comfortable, functional smile that provides confidence and the best possible quality of life. Call (706) 407-4851 or schedule your comprehensive consultation online to start restoring your smile and confidence today.