You face life without one or more of your adult teeth. So do millions of American adults over the age of 30. What can you do about your smile gap? Drs. Bagley, Goodwin and Hrinda often advise replacement with Deerfield dental implants because of the devices’ many aesthetic and oral health advantages.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is today’s best and longest-lasting tooth replacement option. Made of biocompatible titanium, this screw-like device inserts right into the patient’s jawbone during a simple, in-office procedure. After some weeks of healing, the Deerfield dental implant receives a metal alloy abutment, or post, and a custom-made porcelain crown.
The dental implant candidate must be in good oral and overall health. Plus, he or she must have a jaw bone that is sufficiently sized and dense to receive the implant device. While smokers and people with diabetes or other conditions which suppress the immune system can get dental implants, these individuals must be very diligent with their daily oral hygiene and in-office care.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
There are many benefits to dental implants. While traditional fixed bridgework or dentures may be appropriate in some cases, implants provide the most natural-looking and functioning artificial teeth available today.
For instance, the dental implant device fully integrates with the patient’s own jaw bone. Traditional prosthetics simply rest on the gums and allow soft tissue and bone to recede. Human bone, however, bonds with the titanium implant through osseointegration, forming an exceptionally stable foundation for a single artificial tooth or even a whole arch of dentures.
Also, the dental implant rarely needs replacement. While bridges and traditional partial and full dentures last 7 to 10 years, implants remain in place for a lifetime with good at-home and in-office hygiene with your Deerfield dentists. Such longevity translates to overall lower dental bills. Dental implants boast a success rate of well over 90 percent, maintains the American Board of Oral Implantology.
Dr. Jenna Bagley and her associate dentists say that neighboring natural teeth benefit from Deerfield dental implants. With the empty tooth socket filled, remaining teeth retain their natural and strength. Teeth don’t drift, and no smile gaps form. Plus, dental implant placement requires no alteration of surrounding teeth.
An additional benefit is the natural look, feel and function of the single tooth implant or implant-supported denture. Implants avoid jaw bone shrinkage and the premature facial sag and wrinkling common to bridges, dentures, or worse, no tooth replacement at all. Also, with dental implants, patients have very stable smiles without the slippage and speech problems common to regular dentures.
Find out more
Contact the offices of Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda PC to learn more about dental implants. The Deerfield dentist will perform a complete examination to determine if you could benefit from their wonderful tooth replacements.