Missing one or more teeth can tarnish an otherwise beautiful smile and damage your self-esteem. While some people opt for dentures, others are forced to live with unsightly gaps. Luckily, there is an alternative. If you’re looking for a permanent solution to your missing tooth or teeth, dental implants might be right for you. Here are just a few of the many benefits of implant dentistry.
What Are Dental Implants?
Where dentures and bridges are removable sets of replacement teeth, dental implants provide a strong foundation for fixed replacement teeth that are specifically designed to match the appearance of your other teeth, restoring your seamless smile.
Metal implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, below the gums, to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once your mouth heals, a second surgery is required to attach metal abutments that serve as anchors for your new teeth. These artificial teeth can then be placed on the posts individually or grouped together in a bridge, depending on your particular needs, to complete your smile.
Improved Appearance
One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is their all-natural appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. From a functional standpoint, dental implants allow you to eat and speak as if you had a full set of natural teeth. The metals used in implants are specifically chosen for their ability to fuse with your jawbone over time, creating a permanent solution to your missing teeth problem. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime and boost your self-esteem for years to come.
A Healthier Smile
Dental implants provide a much healthier smile than other tooth replacement solutions. Sliding dentures can not only make eating difficult, but food can become stuck under the gums and lead to future complications. Unlike tooth-supported bridges, implants don’t require you to shave down surrounding teeth in order to make room. Your existing teeth are kept whole and intact, improving oral hygiene and overall long-term oral health.
Maybe most important of all is the relationship between your jaw and the roots of your teeth. Without tooth roots the jawbone will naturally recede over time, not only weakening your jaw but also changing your facial features. Dental implants serve the same function as tooth roots and prevent the jaw from receding.
Dental Implants in Greater Louisville
Greater Louisville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, PSC, is proud to offer dental care to patients in the Greater Louisville, Shelbyville, Brandenburg, Southern Indiana and Elizabethtown areas. Our skilled team of surgeons provides implant dentistry, wisdom teeth removal and other oral surgery services. Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation!
Greater Louisville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.S.C. 