Dental Implants Specialist

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants include a manufactured tooth “root” that’s topped with a realistic prosthetic crown (the visible portion of your tooth).

Unlike dentures or bridges, which typically ride on top of your gums, the root portion of a dental implant is surgically implanted in your jaw. Made from bio-friendly material, often titanium, the implant root interacts with your jawbone in the same way a natural tooth root does.

This gives dental implants superior stability compared to other tooth replacement options. They also provide nearly normal function and appearance.

Why do the function and stability of dental implants matter?

The stability and functionality of dental implants mean you can pretty much treat them like your natural teeth. Dentures, for instance, typically provide less bite force than natural teeth. This means you may have difficulty chewing some of your favorite foods when wearing dentures.

Once healed, dental implants closely match the bite force of natural teeth. While your RR Dentistry provider recommends you avoid especially crunchy or hard foods, just as you would with natural teeth, dental implants typically offer a more expansive menu selection than dentures.

Dental implants are also easy to clean; just brush and floss as you normally would. They also prevent the slippage that sometimes occurs with dentures, affecting your speech. 

Your gum line remains natural as well, which enhances the highly realistic appearance of dental implants.

How do dental implants protect my oral health?

Dental implants protect your oral health in several ways. For instance, when teeth are missing, and no roots interact with your jaw, the body begins a natural bone remodeling process.

During remodeling, your body reabsorbs unused bone tissue and uses it elsewhere. This can eventually change the density of your jawbone and the structural support it provides for your face.

The bone loss may eventually threaten the stability of remaining natural teeth. By integrating with your jaw, the root portion of a dental implant prevents bone loss.

Gaps in your smile also allow surrounding teeth to shift out of place, making them harder to keep clean and increasing your risk of gum irritation and damage.

Missing teeth also make it harder to eat, affecting your nutritional health. Your smile is also a vital component of your self-confidence. Dental implants can restore confidence along with your smile.

For more information about dental implants, schedule a visit today at RR Dentistry. Call the office or book an appointment online.