For many people who are among the edentulous, missing teeth can have a negative effect on their self-confidence. While resorting to dentures can usually be a good temporary replacement, nothing can ever really compare to having your real teeth. Recent developments in dental technology have made it so we here at Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry can give you back a smile that functions as well as the real thing without letting anyone in on the secret of prosthetics.
HOW DO DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK?
Many fields of science have experienced a boom of innovation in recent years, and dentistry was no exception. Through the incorporation of advanced machines and digital imaging, we can inspect your mouth beyond what we can see from the inside. This can help ensure we have accurate placement of the implants without having to resort to guesswork.
A dental implant is a tiny titanium bolt that is screwed into your jawbone and is used to replace a missing root. Titanium is a metal that is biocompatible. Often it is used in hips or knees to replace faulty tissue, which is why it works so well as a small piece of your mouth. Through a process known as osseointegration, your body has the means of taking titanium and fusing it to the bone.
ORAL HEALTH THROUGH IMPLANTS
After the implant has fused, it could become as strong as your natural root. If a tooth is not replaced and the socket is left empty, your jaw may begin to resorb, which is a form of degeneration that causes the bone to recede. This may cause a sunken appearance that may age you prematurely and compromise the surrounding structure of your other teeth. With an implant, this ceases to be a concern because the titanium is accepted by your mouth as a suitable root replacement.
Once osseointegration is complete, an abutment will be used to connect your artificial crown. These are usually composed of porcelain or ceramic and are quite durable. You may find once you have your new teeth, not only are you able to eat most of the foods you used to, but you may wonder why it took so long to get them. They can be as permanent as your real teeth and with proper care that should not be much more difficult than a usual oral health routine, find your prosthetics can last you for a lifetime.
A dental implant does not have to be used just with replacement crowns. If you are already used to bridges or dentures and would prefer a more secure feel, they can be fitted with implant attachments so that rather than relying on glue or suction to keep the pieces in your mouth, they can latch onto the sturdy metal instead.
You may discover that with the enhancement of your appearance through a brand new smile and greater nutrition through a more enjoyable diet, and dental implants may be the key to beginning a whole new lifestyle with confidence. At Olympia Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want to help you succeed, so if you have any questions about implants and how they may benefit you, please do not hesitate to give us a call here at (360) 456-1200 to schedule a consultation.