How Dental Implants Preserve Your Smile
When you have a gap in your smile, this could lead to a breakdown in the function and beauty of your smile. To address the gap, we may suggest a prosthetic. For a long-lasting one, and one that looks natural, then we could recommend dental implants. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about implants and smile preservation.
The Dangers of Tooth Loss
Losing our natural teeth could cause a host of major complications for the function and beauty of our smiles. For example, the gap could upset the balance of your bite and strain the jaw joints, leading to painful disorders like TMJ disorder and bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). The gap in your smile could lead nearby teeth to drift from position. The resulting misalignment not only alters smile beauty, but increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The body will also respond by suspending the flow of nutrients to your jawbone. The tissue then loses mass and density, causing further tooth loss and even a prematurely aged appearance! Trouble eating and speaking clearly could also occur as well.
Preventing a Jawbone Breakdown
Dental implants don’t rely on clasps, suction, or adhesives to stay in place. Instead, we surgically insert a biocompatible post, one made from titanium, into the jawbone. The body accepts this as natural bone structure, and it bonds with the jaw through a process known as osseointegration. The body then resumes the flow of nutrients to the jawbone, which strengthens it and allows your new tooth to last for decades to come, maybe even a lifetime! You then enjoy a complete smile that also safeguards your facial structure too, and makes eating your favorite foods again a breeze.
Placement and Restoration
We use advanced imaging technology, including digital x-rays, to carefully plan and guide the placement of the posts, ensuring the right angle and position to secure your new tooth. When the area heals, we attach an abutment to the post. The abutment will allow us to secure the crown, the visible part of your new tooth that we custom-make to ensure a lifelike appearance. If you have multiple missing teeth, then multiple posts and abutments could be used to support a bridge, partial, or even a full denture, one ready to last for years to come. If you have any questions about implant dentistry, then give us a call today.
Do You Need a New Tooth?
We want to provide a new tooth that looks natural and could last a lifetime. If you have any questions about addressing missing teeth, or if you would like to schedule a consultation today, please contact Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.