What Is the Lifespan of a Dental Implant?
Did you know that a dental implant could last for decades and even the rest of a person’s life? When a dental implant is embedded successfully and stabilized by the jawbone, it can serve as a durable and biocompatible tooth replacement. Our oral surgeon offers dental implants as a remedy for tooth loss to people in and around our community. Following is some helpful information on this tooth replacement method and how it can benefit those who have lost teeth.
What Is a Dental Implant, Exactly?
A dental implant is a titanium post that resembles a screw. It is surgically loaded into the jaw so that it can be used to replace the root of a missing tooth. Since it is made from titanium, the bone surrounding the implantation site will integrate around the titanium post. Once an implant becomes stabilized by bone mass, it will permanently support a custom prosthetic like a crown or bridge. While the implant replaces the roots of teeth, prosthetic crowns and bridges replace the visible structures of teeth that are used to bite and chew food.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
There are some distinctive benefits to having a dental implant. First, a dental implant and the prosthetic it holds are structurally very different from other tooth-replacement methods. Popular prosthetics like bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures only replace the biting surfaces of teeth, not the roots. Dental implants, on the other hand, replace all of a missing tooth’s structure. Moreover, implants keep bone stimulated and active, which prevents bone deterioration. Bone atrophy commonly affects patients who suffer from tooth loss and can lead to additional tooth loss and an aged appearance.
Who Should Receive a Dental Implant?
Anyone who has lost a tooth should consider dental implants. Some people may not be candidates for implants if they have gum disease or severe bone loss. The only way to determine if dental implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation that includes an oral examination.
For additional information or to schedule your visit, contact our team at Stonebriar Facial & Oral Surgery today.