When you have lost a tooth, or even several, then you need a prosthetic to address the gap and preserve your smile. For an option that could last for decades to come, you should consider dental implants. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about the process of placing and restoring dental implants.
When to Seek Tooth Replacement
You should talk to our team as soon as a natural tooth is lost. Or better yet, attend checkups and cleanings every six months so we can monitor your smile and correct issues that could cause tooth loss in the earliest stages! Once you lose teeth, this could lead to a host of complications for your oral health and appearance. Not only do you have embarrassing gaps in your smile, but as the body suspends the flow of calcium and phosphates to the jawbone around the lost root or roots, this could cause a loss of mass and density. Over time, this means an older appearance and further tooth loss. But dental implants can help prevent this!
Planning and Placing the Posts
First, we need to make a detailed examination of your smile. We may need to treat underlying oral health issues that could threaten your new teeth. If there are severely decayed or infected teeth, or ones loosened by gum disease, we may need to extract them. We then use digital technology to plan and guide the placement of the dental implants. These posts are made from titanium, a biocompatible material, that the body accepts them as natural tooth roots. This causes the flow of nutrients to resume, preserving your jawbone and allowing your new teeth to stay in place for decades to come, maybe even a lifetime.
Abutments and Restorations
Once the placement area heals, we can move forward with the visible parts of your new tooth. We first attach an abutment to eh posts, which extends above the gum line so we can attach a crown. The restoration will be custom-made to look natural and provide a durable chewing surface. This also preserves the balance of your bite too. If you have more than one missing tooth, we can use several posts to secure a fixed bridge or even fixed dentures. You can smile with confidence, eat your favorite foods, and preserve your youthful features. If you have any questions, then give us a call today.
Talk To Your Kansas City, MO Dentist About Implant Dentistry
We would like to make sure you enjoy a complete smile and avoid the complications of untreated tooth loss. If you would like to find out more about our approach to implant dentistry, contact your Kansas City, MO, dentist, Dr. Murphy, by calling (816) 531-8000.
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