Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for permanent teeth that are custom made to match your existing, natural teeth. However, implants aren’t just about aesthetics. They also restore overall mouth health, teeth function and aid in the prevention of consequences that follow tooth loss.
When damage or decay to a tooth is too severe to be repaired, it may need to be extracted to prevent further complications to the mouth and overall patient health. It is necessary to replace extracted or missing teeth to ensure other teeth do not move and shift. Not replacing a tooth can lead to the misalignment of the other teeth and make them more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.
Implants are the patient preferred method of replacing a missing tooth for several reasons. Dentures don’t fit the way a permanent tooth does and can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip. Because they are designed to fuse with bone, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures. Functioning like regular teeth, implants allow you to eat your favorite foods with confidence!
Dental Implants are made of titanium or titanium alloys and surgically placed in the jaw so the bone will grow around the implant. This allows the implant to function like a natural tooth root providing a more effective, long-term solution to missing teeth.
Dental implants are composed of three parts: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The implant is a screw that acts as the root for your new tooth. The abutment serves as a connector to support and hold a tooth. Finally, there is the crown or prosthetic tooth.
Once your implants and the surrounding gum have healed, and your replacement teeth have been fitted, they must be cared for in the same way as normal, natural teeth. Brushing, flossing, rinsing and a schedule of regular dentist visits are essential to maintain the implants’ appearance and long term success.
Dr. White is a gifted academician and clinician who is considered an expert in restorative dentistry and surgical implant placement around the globe. His interdisciplinary artistic approach is founded in research, clinical experience and his gift of communication. His ability to impart complex clinical scenarios into logical systematic processes differentiates him from other dentists.
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