Medical treatments are always advancing, and the same goes for restorative dentistry. Instead of just focusing on the appearance of your smile, dentists can now offer treatments that actually restore and protect your smile’s health and function.
Dental implants are a long-lasting, modern solution for tooth loss, maintaining the feel and function of your oral health while restoring your appearance. Learn 4 things to know about dental implants with Dr. Nicholas F. Gardner, a Gouverneur, NY family dentist offering complete care and treatment for complex dental concerns.
1. Implants last a lifetime
Unlike bridges or removable dentures, dental implants are surgically implanted in the jawbone. With good oral hygiene, the implant can last a lifetime once it integrates into the bone. The false tooth attached to the implant, called the crown, usually needs replacement every 10-15 years due to natural wear and tear, but the implant can last forever.
2. Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy
Having a gap left in the teeth is more than just a cosmetic concern. A missing tooth can lead to jaw bone recession, making a person’s face appear sunken and the surrounding teeth to shift in the mouth. Dental implants take the root of the missing tooth and integrate into the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Once the implant heals, it becomes a permanent part of your smile and keeps the soft and hard jaw tissue intact.
3. Implants protect healthy teeth
Implants are preferred over dental bridges because implants do not affect the health of the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges require the teeth on either side of the gap to be ground down to their stumps, even if they are healthy, to support the bridge. A dental implant ensures that the only teeth affected are the ones that need to be replaced.
4. They look and feel like natural teeth
One of our priorities when it comes to your smile is its function. Because dental implants become a permanent part of your mouth, you can use them just like your natural teeth. Your implants are cleaned just like your natural teeth, too.
Gouverneur, NY Dental Implants
Implants are a long-term investment in your oral health, allowing you to achieve a durable, comfortable, functional smile. Schedule your implants consultation with Dr. Gardner online or call our Gouverneur, NY dentist’s office at 315-203-1772 today.