When you lose a tooth (or several), this could impact the alignment of your teeth, how you eat and speak, and could even mean an older appearance. To help address the gap in your smile, we may suggest a dental implant. But how does your Astoria, NY, dentist ensure your new tooth looks natural? We’re talking about our implant restorations in today’s blog.
The Implant Placement Process
First, let’s talk about using dental implants to replace a missing tooth (or several). The implant post is similar in appearance to a small screw, and is created from titanium. Since titanium is biocompatible, the body bonds with it and accepts it as a natural root. They will be placed into the jaw via oral surgery, and act as new roots to support your new smile. Advanced technology is used to guide them in place, ensuring they can withstand the pressures of a tooth, and provide optimal appearance.
Osseointegration
They bond with the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. Not only does this ensure the new root has the potential to last decades, maybe even a lifetime, this also helps prevent further tooth loss. You see, when we lose teeth the body acknowledges this and suspends the flow of vital nutrients like calcium or phosphorus to the jawbone. Soon, the bone tissue breaks down, which could cause further tooth loss and eventually, and aged appearance. However, osseointegration stimulates the growth of bone tissues to prevent these complications! In addition, replacing missing teeth could help prevent other complications, such as misalignment, or issues eating and speaking.
Your Restoration
For an individual dental implant, the restoration, or the part you see when you smile, is made from a crown. We take detailed measurements and impressions of your smile, and design the restoration to not only absorb bite forces and pressures, but be tinted to blend with your smile too. We attach them to the implant with an abutment, completing your new tooth. If you have lost several teeth, then we can craft a lifelike bridge or denture to attach to these posts, provide a prosthetic that never slips when you eat or speak, doesn’t need to be removed for soaking, and can last much longer than a traditional bridge or removable dentures. If you have any questions about how we restore your new tooth, or about the process of preventing issues like tooth loss, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
We want to make sure you always feel confident to show off your smile. To learn more about addressing missing teeth with dental implants, or possibly a bridge or denture, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
