Dental implants are the only structurally complete tooth replacement devices available today. After the titanium cylinder is inserted in the jaw, the surrounding bone fuses with it, creating a root-like structure to support a prosthetic crown. This is quite similar to the relationship between the root and crown of a biological tooth.
Older methods, such as dentures and dental bridges, only restore the absent crown, not the missing root. Yet, that root structure plays a pivotal part in the smile’s overall stability.
Therefore, a patient who receives dental implants from an oral surgeon gains a number of benefits from the intervention. Dental implants help to anchor the jawbone and prevent its atrophy following tooth loss. This helps to maintain the fit of the prosthetic appliance as well as protecting the surrounding teeth from the effects of jawbone erosion in the vicinity.
Furthermore, dental implants preserve more of the functionality of the missing tooth or teeth. The link between the implant and the bone means that a dental implant is better equipped to withstand the chewing forces needed to process a wide range of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables as well as meat.
Additionally, the lifelike structure of dental implants eliminates the impact of the devices on the adjacent biological teeth that remain in the smile. While a dental bridge requires healthy enamel to be sacrificed to accommodate crowns on those abutment teeth, a dental implant does not need any such support.
In order to take advantage of all of these positive aspects of dental implants, it’s important for the patient to be a good candidate for the treatment. The oral surgeon will evaluate your case to be sure that you have enough quality bone at the implant site to support osseointegration. If you do not, a preliminary bone graft may be recommended to improve your chances of long-term dental implant success.
Patients who are looking for a tooth replacement that most closely mimics the structure of a biological tooth should explore dental implants. Contact Northern Texas Facial & Oral Surgery today to schedule your informative consultation.
