Dental Implants Can Rebuild Your Smile

Recently, we’ve discussed various ways that you can restore your smile after damaging or losing some of your pearly whites. Whether you’ve damaged a single tooth or lost multiple throughout your smile, we have a restorative option that can best help you. In today’s blog, the team at Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, is here to talk about dental implants to securely replace your missing dental structures.

Understanding This Prosthetic Option

Dental implants are a unique way of replacing a missing tooth. A titanium post is inserted into the jawbone where it fuses together in a natural process called osseointegration. After the area has healed, your dentist will then add the abutment and crown piece. From the consultation to placing the crown, this process can take about a year to complete and can last for several years with very minimal maintenance. It can be used to replace an individual tooth or an entire arch, depending on your specific needs.

How It Compares To Dentures & Bridges

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to replacing lost teeth. For patients who have lost a few teeth in the same row, a dental bridge may be a helpful solution. This prosthesis uses crowns and a pontic to recreate your lost dental structure. The goal for this bridge is to look natural while also improving your ability to chew and speak. For patients experiencing more progressive forms of tooth loss, there are partial or complete dentures. Partial dentures can replace your missing dental structures while also leaving space for your existing healthy teeth. A full set of dentures may be a helpful solution for patients who have lost an entire arch of their dental structures. A complete set of dentures is typically removable and can help improve your ability to chew and talk. While all of these options are helpful, they unfortunately cannot recreate the lost root of the tooth which can eventually cause serious oral health concerns.

Getting Started With Implants

Patients who qualify may be able to receive dental implants to recreate their lost tooth. Before getting started, you will first need a consultation with your dentist to ensure you are a good candidate. Patients in good oral health with strong jawbones will likely be improved for this procedure. Bone grafting may be necessary in some cases if your jaw is not sturdy enough to support the titanium post. After you have received your dental implants, you will continue your oral hygiene routine as usual. Your implants may last fifteen years or more with proper care.

Talk To Our Team To Learn More

Are you interested in learning about your prosthetic dental options? Schedule an appointment with Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645.