A dental implant is a small titanium post that serves as a replacement for the root portion of a tooth. The post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it integrates with the surrounding tissue and acts as a new, solid support for the crown.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts or frames surgically implanted into the jawbone beneath your gums. After the implants are placed, a process known as osseointegration occurs, where the implant fuses to the bone of the jaw in a process similar to the roots of a natural tooth. This creates a strong base for a dental crown to be attached to. Since implants fuse to your jawbone, they become a permanent part of your smile and allow you to eat and speak normally without the fear of them slipping out of place.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of titanium because this material is biocompatible with the human body and does not cause any adverse reactions. Other materials may be used but can cause complications such as infection. Dental implants are also the only prosthetic option that replaces both the tooth root and crown of a tooth. This allows the restored tooth to look, feel, and function like a regular tooth. This makes them an excellent choice for restoring your smile as well as your oral health.
The benefits of dental implants include the following:
- Dental implants are the closest replacement option for a natural tooth. The implant itself is made from titanium that is surgically positioned into the jawbone where the root of the natural tooth used to be. Once the bone has healed over a period of several months, an abutment is attached to the top of the dental implant, followed by the dental crown. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
- Dental implants are easy to clean and maintain and require no special care. No special instruments are needed to clean around an implant, so they are easy to maintain. Brushing and flossing on a regular basis is all you need to do to care for your dental implant.
- While bridges and dentures can be made to fit your mouth comfortably, they can slip out of place or feel loose over time. This can cause irritation to the gums and make it difficult to bite or chew properly. Over time, this can become uncomfortable and even painful. With dental implants, however, the restoration snaps firmly into place and stays there securely when you eat and drink. This is a more comfortable and convenient option compared to the alternatives.
- Additionally, dental implants are the only treatment that can stop bone loss. When the roots of the natural teeth are lost, the bone in that area also begins to atrophy. This can lead to further tooth loss as well as changing the facial structure as the jaw shrinks. A bone grafting procedure can reverse some of this damage but cannot be completed once the implant has been placed. For this reason, dental implants are better for your dental health overall.
To learn more about our dental services or to schedule your consultation, call us at (970) 947-1717 or visit our dental office located at 120 Midland Avenue, Unit 230, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
