Dental implants are unique among tooth replacement options. Other restorative treatments, such as dentures and dental bridges, rest on top of the gums, relying on adjacent teeth or adhesives for support. Dental implants are different. They replace the roots of missing teeth, serving as an anchor to hold your restoration fast in place.
Tooth roots help to anchor teeth to the jaw. When a tooth is missing, its root is as well, which can result in several issues including jaw collapse, adjacent tooth slippage, and changes to the strength and tension of your bite. By replacing the missing root, dental implants help to prevent these issues while also serving to restore complete function and strength to your smile.
…But Are They Permanent?
After a dental implant has been accepted by the jaw – a process that may take up to six months – it will be as permanent as your natural tooth roots. Barring severe gum disease, trauma, or infection, your dental implants can last for a lifetime. Much of it depends on the care you take of your teeth and gums after having an implant placed.
Preserving Dental Implant Strength
One of the most effective ways to preserve the strength and integrity of a dental implant is through proper oral care. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing at least once daily. Restorations should be brushed and flossed just like the teeth that surround them. Add to that, twice-yearly visits with the family dentists at Wood Creek Dental, and your dental implant will serve as the most permanent and most natural-functioning replacement option available for missing teeth.
It is important to note that a dental implant holds a restoration in place. The restoration itself, such as implant-supported dentures, bridges, and dental crowns, may possibly need to be replaced at some point due to wear or cosmetic issues such as discoloration.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
To learn more about the benefits offered by implant dentistry, please call our Greenville office at 864-288-5300 or our Landrum office at 864-457-3425 and schedule your consultation today.
