Losing a tooth can have severe consequences for your face and your smile. Losing just one tooth can lead to losing more teeth, and it can lead to significant changes in your facial structure. When it comes to deciding how to replace your tooth, implants are the option that gives you the best results with the longest-lasting protection.
Dr. AnnMarie Olson offers a full range of restorative dental procedures, including state-of-the-art dental implants. To educate patients and prospective patients, we’ve compiled the following guide to dental implants.
It may be surprising to learn that 69% of adults have lost at least one permanent tooth? This occurs as a result of gum disease, accidents, or tooth decay.
Missing teeth, however, are more than a cosmetic concern. When you lose a tooth, you also lose its root, which stimulates your jawbone. When the root is gone, you start to lose mass in your jaw bone, and your jaw shrinks as a result. Your nearby teeth then begin to sink in to fill the space. This causes them to loosen and eventually fall out.
Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants don’t just replace your missing teeth; they also replace the roots of your teeth, offering stimulation for your jawbone and keeping your jaw and facial structure intact.
Dental implants also have a high success rate, ranging from 89-98%! And they’re long-lasting too. If you take care of your implants by regularly brushing, flossing, and getting dental care, your implants can last a lifetime.
Dr. Olson examines your mouth during your initial appointment to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. She makes sure that your mouth is as healthy as possible before placing the implants to ensure the best If you do not have sufficient jaw bone to anchor, a bone graft may be recommended.
The implant is a small screw made out of surgical-grade titanium. After putting the implant in, we give it time to fuse with your jaw (also known as osseointegration). Next, an abutment is affixed atop the implant.
Once your gum heals, which takes between three and six months, Dr. Olson attaches the top part of the implant, a prosthetic tooth made of porcelain or ceramic. Your prosthetic tooth is custom tinted and contoured to look like your natural teeth. Thanks to advanced techniques and materials, your replacement tooth is virtually impossible to discern from the rest of your teeth.
Don’t let missing teeth ruin your smile, change your facial structure, and make it difficult for you to eat and speak! When it comes to saving your smile and your jaw, dental implants are your best option. Call us at AnnMarie Olson DDS PA today to set up an initial consultation.
