Dental implants can restore your smile and keep it healthy by replacing lost teeth and their roots. When teeth are missing, bone loss and other unwanted side effects often occur. It is possible to reduce these side effects and maintain a healthier smile by filling in the gaps with dental implants. In Kernersville, NC, dental implants are available at Infinity Dental, where Dr. Gurvinder Bhatti can determine if you are a candidate for this exciting tooth restoration option.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small screw-like posts made from titanium, a hypoallergenic and biocompatible metal. They are inserted directly in the jawbone and function just like a tooth root to hold a restoration in place. Dental implants can be connected to crowns, bridgework, or dentures, depending on how many teeth are being replaced.
The biocompatible titanium used to create dental implants fuses with jawbone tissue over time. This is a natural process called osseointegration and it’s one of the reasons dental implants are so secure. Tooth restorations anchored in place with dental implants do not shift around or come loose.
Candidates for Dental Implants
Several criteria must be met for an individual to be a candidate for dental implants. One of the most important requirements is that there is an adequate amount of bone tissue in the jaw. Dental implants cannot be securely placed if there is not enough bone. The unfortunate reality of tooth loss is that it is usually followed by bone loss so not everyone who has lost teeth will be a candidate for dental implants. An x-ray will reveal if there is enough bone.
It is also important to have healthy gums and a strong immune system before getting dental implants. The experienced dentist at our office in Kernersville, NC, can determine if dental implants are an option for restoring your smile.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants deliver numerous benefits, from replacing missing teeth to keeping your smile healthy. A few of the many ways dental implants help your smile include:
- Replacing missing teeth and their roots
- Improving the ability to bite and chew foods
- Reducing excess strain on remaining natural teeth
- Preventing remaining teeth from shifting into the gaps where teeth are missing
- Stopping bone loss in the jaw by preventing the body from reabsorbing bone tissue that is no longer supporting teeth
- Reducing drooping and sagging of the face by providing support for facial muscles
- Improving speech affected by gaps in your smile
Dental implants do so much more than fill in the gaps caused by tooth loss. They also help keep your smile healthy by reducing excess strain on teeth, preventing teeth from shifting, and stopping jawbone loss. For dental implants in Kernersville, NC, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhatti by calling Infinity Dental at (336) 996-3542.