When you have missing teeth, this could lead to a breakdown in your smile and an aged appearance. But we can restore your smile by replacing your missing teeth with dental implants. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about how we place dental implants and ensure a long-lasting solution to your tooth loss.
The Need for Tooth Replacement
Don’t ignore your missing teeth, as tooth loss could eventually complicate how you speak, your ability to eat solid foods, and could even lead to a gradual breakdown in your jaw. Caused by the body suspending the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw, this breakdown leads to additional missing teeth and an older appearance. Not to mention associated complications, such as TMJ disorder, bruxism (teeth grinding), and as your teeth shift, tooth decay and gum disease. But with dental implants, our team can offer tooth replacement that prevents these complications and preserves your smile.
Placing Your New Tooth Roots
When your body registers the loss of your tooth, it stops sending calcium and phosphates to the jaw. But when we insert dental implant posts into the jaw, the body sees them as natural roots. That’s because they’re made from biocompatible titanium, which bonds with the jaw and prevents the breakdown in the smile. We will plan the placement with digital imaging technology, so these new posts sit at the right angles and positions to not only stimulate the growth of jawbone structure, but to support restorations that complete your new teeth.
Attaching the Visible Portion of Your New Smile
For an individual dental implant, we will attach an abutment to them that extends above the gum line. We then custom-make a dental crown from lifelike materials and attach it to the abutment. The crown not only looks natural but provides a durable chewing surface too. If you have more than one missing tooth, then several implant posts and abutments could be used to support a bridge or even a full set of dentures. Whether you have minor or extensive tooth loss, we have options to restore your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty again. With proper care and attention, these can last for decades, possibly a lifetime. In comparison, traditional bridges and removable dentures need replacement every 5 to 10 years on average.
If you have any questions about addressing your tooth loss with implant dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more. You deserve the chance to smile with confidence and enjoy optimal oral health again!
Schedule a Visit for Implant Dentistry
If you would like to talk about replacing your missing teeth, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, talk to us at Lathrop Dental in Katy, Tx today at 832-437-3849.
