Why A Dental Implant May Be The Best Way To Preserve Your Smile

August 24, 2016, Langley Dental Practice

When teeth become severely damaged or decayed, there are a number of restorative treatments that can be used to save them. Due to this fact, far fewer consumers are electing to have tooth extractions performed than ever before. Unfortunately, however, there are times when damage and decay are so extensive that no preventative measure can prevent extraction or loss. In these instances, opting for dental implant could be your best choice. Following are several reasons why.

Preserve The Integrity Of Your Bite With A Dental Implant

A lost or missing tooth can upset the distribution of bite forces. When you bite into or chew foods, all of your remaining teeth will have to make up for the work that your missing tooth is no longer performing. This can cause an extraordinary amount of undue wear and tear that gradually breaks these structures down. Stress fractures or cracks can develop as the result of extra pressure and strain and that allow harmful bacteria in. Once this occurs, decay can become widespread and additional tooth loss is likely. Getting a dental implant installed can prevent this additional wear. It can also:

• Prevent your remaining teeth from migrating out their natural positions
• Complete and enhance your smile
• Improve the impressions that you make on others
• Build your confidence by making you feel good about your appearance.

What A Dental Implant Is

This is a durable structure that looks just like your own natural tooth. This comes attached to a titanium post that is embedded directly into your jaw bone. As time goes on, the bone will grow around the post, just as it would your tooth root. At the surface, the structure will hardly be discernible from a natural tooth given that it will have the same shape and coloration as well as the same level of functionality. Ultimately, these are designed to complete the smile both functionality and aesthetically after a loss has occurred or an extraction has been performed.

Getting Ready For Your Treatment

If your badly damaged or decayed tooth has not yet fallen out or been pulled, it will first need to be extracted. Your dentist will then need to clean the affected area and make sure that you have sufficient bone mass at the jaw for supporting the titanium post. It is also vital to ensure that the gum tissues are in good condition as well. Gingivitis and more advanced periodontal disease must be resolved before your implantation procedure can be performed.

Gum scaling and planing procedures can be used to eliminate trapped plaque and bacteria to aid in the elimination of infection. In some instances, bone grafting could be necessary for ensuring a solid and sufficiently stable structure for supporting your implant. At this time, if you are a regular tobacco user, your provider may refer you to a smoking cessation program. This is necessary for ensuring that the treatment is a successful one.

How To Care For And Preserve Your New Tooth

You will need to care for your dental implant just like a natural tooth. It should be brushed and flossed regularly to prevent infection. Regular check-ups should be performed after your procedure to verify the stability of the post and the health of the surrounding tooth structures and tissues.

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