Cosmetic Dentist in Greater Heights Tells Benefits of Implants

Dental implants are known for their lifelike aesthetics, reliability and bone-saving capability. Also, they give patients unparalleled confidence when they eat and smile. Are you missing one or more teeth or anticipate dental extractions? Then, explore dental implants and their advantages over bridges and dentures. Your cosmetic dentist in Greater Heights, Dr. Ahn Song, and his professional colleagues at Sunrise Dental will walk you through the implant process and help you decide if this premiere tooth replacement is right for you.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a completely artificial tooth. It has three parts: a titanium metal screw, a metal alloy extension post, and a porcelain crown. Implant dentist, Dr. Song, places the biocompatible screw into the empty tooth socket during a simple, in-office oral surgery. In the ensuing weeks, the implant bonds to the jaw bone through a natural process is known as osseointegration.

Osseointegration confers outstanding stability and strength on the dental implant. When the site is fully healed, the dentist re-opens the site and bonds on the post and customized crown. The finished restoration looks, acts and feels just like a real tooth, and every time the patient bites or chews on the implant, the jaw bone is exercised and made stronger.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that three million people in the United States have dental implants and that number increases annually. Why, you ask, would a dentist near me in Greater Heights place dental implants rather than offering a partial or full denture or fixed bridgework?

The answers are simple. Dental implants:

• Are successful up to 98 percent of the time
• Rarely fail or need replacement
• Function and look like real teeth
• Preserve the gum tissue and jaw bone density, which so often deteriorate after tooth loss
• Give patients confidence in how they look when they smile because their facial muscles are well-supported and the implants themselves look real

Conversely, bridgework can compromise the teeth surrounding it because the artificial teeth are anchored via crowns which require substantial enamel preparation. Also, partial dentures are affixed to teeth neighboring the smile gap via metal clasps which cause enamel wear and tear over time. Finally, bridges and dentures simply rest on top of the gums and do nothing to retain jaw bone density.

Dental Implants are Versatile

Older teens and adults who have sufficient jaw bone and are in good oral health may receive dental implants. Also, dental implants may support one, two or even more teeth. Implant-retained bridgework and dentures are one of today’s more popular solutions for substantial tooth loss, giving patients attractive smiles that function very naturally. Dr. Song, a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, is an expert in all phases of dental implant placement, including permanent All-On-4 implant-supported dentures.

Are You Interested?

Then, please schedule a restorative dentistry consultation at Sunrise Dental. Your dentist will be happy to show you how dental implants work and if they are right for your smile.