You don't have to live with a gap in your mouth after your lose one or more teeth. Dental implants offer the ideal way to restore your smile. Your Mississauga dentists share a few facts about implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of a titanium post shaped like a screw. Your dentist drills a small hole in your jaw and places the implant inside. During the next 3 to 6 months, your jawbone begins to grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration. When osseointegration is complete, your implant is a permanent part of your jawbone. In the next few months, you'll receive a connector, called an abutment, which will hold a dental crown. The crown replaces your tooth above the gum line.
Implants offer advantages bridges and dentures can't.
Deciding which tooth replacement option is right for you can be a little overwhelming. Bridges and dentures are time-tested replacement choices, but implants offer benefits, including:
- Long-lasting results: Since your new implant actually becomes a part of your jaw, it will never need to be replaced, in most cases. Bridges and dentures must usually be replaced several times during your life.
- The ultimate in stability: Over the years, the fit of your dentures can change, causing them to slip and irritate the gums. Bridges that don't fit well can also cause irritation. Dental implants are much more comfortable and stable than other options and feel more like real teeth.
- Better biting power: Dentures replace lost teeth, but when you choose this option, you lose biting power. With reduced biting power, it's impossible to bite into many hard foods. Because implants are securely anchored in your jaw, you can continue to eat your favourite foods.
- Cost-Effective: Although the upfront cost of implants is often more, the long-term costs are usually less than bridges or dentures since implants don't have to be replaced.
- Your jaw stays strong: Losing a tooth makes your jawbone a little weaker and thinner because your tooth no longer stimulates the bone. Because implants replace tooth roots, they help keep your jaw strong and prevent bone loss.
