7 Facts about Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most common and effective way to replace missing teeth. This is an extremely important procedure because any missing teeth can lead to significant dental health problems. It can change your bite as the remaining teeth begin to shift, and infections can set in and lead to more problems.

If you are missing any teeth – whether due to decay or trauma – we encourage you to take care of this problem as quickly as possible so your mouth will stay healthy and your smile will stay beautiful.

There are several important facts about our Denver CO dental implants that make them the top choice for replacing teeth and restoring your appearance.

1. Implants address a very real problem

Even though modern dental hygiene has changed a lot, and this generation will be the first in which most people will have their natural teeth throughout their entire lives, a lot of people still face problems with missing teeth.

Currently, 30% of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have no natural teeth. In other words, there are still a lot of people missing a lot of teeth because of periodontal disease, trauma, and cavities.

2. Dental implants have 3 components

The three parts of an implant include the titanium root, the abutment, and the dental crown.

The titanium root is implanted into the bone because it is a fracture-resistant material with a high strength-to-weight ratio that won’t corrode in your mouth. The abutment is a device that connects the crown to the implant, and the crown is the visible prosthetic replacement that has been custom crafted to fit in place.

3. Titanium implants fuse to bone

Titanium has a special property that makes it particularly useful for implants. Through a process called “osseointegration,” the bone will actually fuse to the titanium, creating and extremely strong bond. This is what lets you use and clean the new tooth just like you would your natural teeth.

4. This kind of replacement leads to better oral health

By replacing your missing teeth as soon as possible, and using an implant that imitates the function of natural teeth, you can support the structure of your mouth and leave more of the surrounding teeth intact.

5. The technology is even changing dentures

It wasn’t that long ago that dentures weren’t a question of “if” but “when.” And everyone generally thought of dentures as ill-fitting devices that felt uncomfortable and prevented you from eating the things you loved.

Now, with modern implant technology, it’s possible to secure custom-fit dentures in place to replace several missing teeth at once.

6. Almost anyone can receive an implant

Almost anyone who can have other major dental procedures is a candidate for dental implants. In general, the qualifications include having generally good health, enough jaw bone to hold the implant (although bone grafts are possible if you don’t meet this requirement), and a set of healthy gums.

7. Some things may prevent you from being a candidate

There may be some circumstances that might preclude you from receiving an implant. This includes uncontrolled chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.

Also, if you are being treated with radiation in the head or neck area, we will need to know about that.

And finally, heavy smoking may interfere with the process.

All these facts add up to one effective solution for replacing missing teeth. The procedure is well established, and the results will make you want to smile.

Is a dental implant the right solution for you? Are you a candidate for this procedure? Contact LeDowns Dentistry, your experienced Denver dentist, today to learn more or to set up an appointment to come into the office and speak with our dentists.