Because they are surgically implanted into your jawbone with a titanium screw that your jaw bone will naturally bond to, your dental implant may last the rest of your life with proper care. The crown, which is a ceramic false tooth mounted atop the implant, may need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years due to normal wear and tear.
However, this part of the process is simple and relatively inexpensive and may even be covered by insurance. The implant screw itself can last decades, possibly even the rest of your life. Be certain to visit Dr. Sowell or your area dentist for regular check-ups to verify your implant is still functioning correctly.
Dental implants allow you to bite and chew food and brush and floss your teeth just as you would with your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options such as bridges and removable dentures require specialized cleaning and are less comfortable than implants. Unlike bridges, dental implants can be cleaned just like your natural teeth and do not require specialized techniques to care for them.
While replacing missing teeth may seem like only a cosmetic concern, having a gap in your smile can actually cause the bone tissue to recede. This can potentially risk the neighboring teeth shifting or the jawbone structure itself, and can give your mouth a sunken appearance. Dental implants replace your missing teeth down to the root, which keeps the surrounding tissues healthy and prevents regression.
In addition to promoting healthy jawbone tissue and preventing remaining teeth from drifting, dental implants require no alterations to the neighboring teeth as dental bridges do. When you get a dental bridge placed, the teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile must have their enamel removed in order to be crowned.
The crowns then support the crown in between that replaces the missing teeth. However, dental implants are embedded directly into the jawbone in the gap left by the missing tooth and do not need to be anchored by other teeth.
With dental implants, you never need to worry that your teeth will slip out while you’re eating or talking as can happen with dentures. Implants are permanently embedded in your jaw bone and look just like your natural teeth. You may even eventually forget you have them and most people you meet will be unaware you have them unless you tell them.
Implants are a long-term investment in your oral health. Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, Dr. Sowell’s practice in Plano, is focused on maintaining a comfortable, functional smile that provides confidence and the best possible quality of life for his patient. Call (972) 382-6855 or schedule your free comprehensive consultation online to start restoring your smile and confidence today.
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