What is a dental implant?
A dental implant consists of two parts. The first is a small titanium post that screws into your jawbone acting as a new tooth root. The second part is the crown that attaches to the screw that results in a natural looking tooth.
Why might your Auburn dentist, Dr. Matson, recommend a dental implant?
Dental implants do the following:
Last longer than the alternatives
Dentures and bridges have to be replaced after so many years. If you properly care for your dental implants they can last a lifetime!
Function and appear the most like your natural teeth
Natural teeth have roots to firmly anchor them into your jawbone. The titanium post or screw for our implant will serve as a new tooth root. Titanium is unique in that it has the ability to naturally fuse to your jawbone within months. Dental implants are specially designed to look like your natural teeth making them often undetectable to others.
Removable dentures can tend to shift and slip in your mouth. In contrast, implants are stable and immovable allowing you to go about your daily activities with complete confidence.
Don’t damage surrounding teeth
Bridgework and dentures can weaken adjacent teeth due to depending on them for support. This weakening can make surrounding teeth more prone to decay or loosening. In contrast, dental implants usually have no impact on adjacent teeth as they are anchored directly to your jawbone requiring no support from surrounding teeth.
Effective at preventing bone loss
To remain healthy, your jawbone needs constant stimulation such as when you chew food. When you lose a tooth and can no longer chew in that part of your mouth, you are no longer stimulating that part of your jaw. Therefore, your jawbone will begin to resorb into your system making your jaw more vulnerable to fracture. This resorbing process can then make your face appear prematurely aged.
Dental implants allow you to keep stimulating your jawbone with normal chewing, keeping your jaw healthy and your face from prematurely aging.
Are easy to care for
While bridgework and dentures can require special maintenance, dental implants are cared for just like you do your natural teeth. All you need is regular brushing, flossing and regular visits to your dentist for annual cleanings. This basic maintenance will ensure your dental implants last a lifetime!