If you are one of the many adults who is dealing with tooth loss, then this short article is for you. Our St. Louis dentists understand that treating tooth loss can often seem overwhelming and daunting for our patients. That’s why we are here to answer questions about the restorative options we offer. We hope that this is the first step in your journey toward achieving a whole and healthy smile.
How do I go about choosing a tooth replacement treatment?
There are a number of factors to keep in mind when you are evaluating replacement tooth solutions. For example, some treatments, like full dental implants, take longer to complete than others, like implant-stabilized dentures. You also want to think about what type of post-treatment maintenance you’re comfortable taking on. Once dental implants are embedded in your jawbone, they are remarkably simple and intuitive to care for. Removable dentures will require a little more specialized care. When you meet with our team, we’ll give you all of the information that you need to fully understand the realities of each treatment.
I’ve heard that dental implants are “good” for your smile, what does this mean?
Dental implants are state-of-the-art because they are actually rooted, with a titanium screw, into the patient’s jawbone. So, how does this benefit oral health?
Well, when you lose a tooth, you also lose the tooth root, which is part of the underlying structure of your smile. This empty space can kick off a chain reaction of oral health problems. Many patients find that their teeth begin to shift along their jawlines due to the gaps in their smiles. Additionally, missing dental roots can lead to loss of jawbone density over time.
Over time, the titanium implant root actually bonds with the patient’s natural bone tissue. This not only creates a strong and stable foundation for the dental restoration, but it also supports the surrounding jawbone.
Have more questions? Our St. Louis dental implant dentists are here for you! Give us a call to speak to a member of our team, and schedule a personal consultation.