Around 120 million people in the United States are missing one or more teeth. Preventative dental care can prevent tooth loss, but it's already too late for some.
Missing even one tooth can cause various dental complications, such as difficulty chewing food or pronouncing words. Fortunately, dental implants can solve this problem.
Going to a dental implant specialist can fix your missing tooth for a lifetime. But are dental implants indeed permanent? If they aren't permanent, how long will they last? What should you expect from a dental implant anyway?
Before searching for a "family dentist near me," keep reading and learn more about dental implants below.
What You Need To Know About Dental Implants
Getting a new dental implant is generally a lengthy process, but many people find it worthwhile. The dentists at Dean Dental Solutions in North Little Rock, Arkansas, can handle the procedure.
A dental implant, of course, is designed to function as a replacement for a real tooth that has been lost.
The procedure will vary according to a variety of factors.
For example, if you lost a tooth, but the roots are still present, they'll need to be removed. But if the roots of the tooth are already gone, then your dentist will skip this step. The first significant step in getting a dental implant is having a metal root inserted into the intended site of the implant.
The metal root is the anchor of the entire implant. Without it, the dental implant would have nothing to hang onto. After a week or so, your jawbone will naturally start to grow around the metal post, solidifying it in place. This first step is the most important of the entire procedure.
The Details
When you heal from the first step of the procedure, the next step is to add the abutment. The abutment is a small device that sits between the metal post and the dental crown, which will come later. The abutment is somewhat like a shock absorber between the post and crown, so they won't grind against or damage each other.
The final piece is the dental crown resting on top of the abutment. The crown, of course, is designed to look as much like a natural tooth as possible. It's usually made from porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia, all very durable materials that look like real tooth enamel.
Most people won't even know that your dental implant isn't your real tooth. But are dental implants permanent?
Are Dental Implants Permanent?
Dental implants are indeed designed to be permanent. It becomes permanent as soon as the anchor is secured to the intended site of the mouth.
Implants generally help prevent bone loss. Since an implant replaces the tooth as well as the root, chewing is returned to normal and natural bone growth is stimulated as a result.
What You Need to Know
A dental implant should last the rest of your life as long as your jawbone is strong and healthy. However, you may experience some problems with the dental crown. As mentioned before, the dental crown is the part of the implant that looks like a real tooth.
It's also the only part of the implant that people can see and interacts with things like food. If you tend to chew on hard foods, such as peanuts or ice, there's a chance that the dental crown could break at some point. However, this isn't very common because the dental crown's material is designed to be as durable as possible.
Dental implants have more benefits than disadvantages overall. A few of these advantages include:
- Stability for teeth next to the implant
- Prevention of gum disease
- Prevention of premature aging and facial sagging
All About Dental Implants, North Little Rock
Dental implants can be highly beneficial for your dental health in many ways. For instance, dental implants can allow you to chew food more efficiently and pronounce words correctly. They can also give you back your confidence to smile and show off your teeth.
Trust the dental implant specialists at Dean Dental Solutions in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to help you get the dental care you need. To make an appointment, click here.
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