If you have suffered from tooth loss, you may be at risk of developing further dental issues if you do not replace your missing teeth. Your oral function may decline as the remaining teeth shift out of place and your jawbone deteriorates due to absent teeth.
Permanent restorative benefits can be found with teeth replacement with dental implants. However, this treatment might not suit every dental patient.
Schedule a consultation with your dentist to find out if you are eligible for restorative treatment through implant dentistry. Dr. Gregory Hillyard, a dentist practicing in Media, PA, outlines three characteristics of ideal candidates for dental implants.
Seeking Permanent Tooth Replacement Treatment
Dental implants are a permanent solution to replacing missing teeth. If you are missing one, several, or an entire arch of teeth, your dentist can find a type of implant that will suit your restorative dental needs.
Some patients may find the lifelong treatment of implants unappealing, so you should make sure this kind of long-term solution is what you need before committing to the implant process. Other people may appreciate the security of implants in teeth replacement. This type of fixture is less likely to slip out of place than removable dentures.
Stable Jawbone Structure
Unlike dentures or other fixtures that replace teeth only above the gumline, dental implants can preserve your jawbone health. In a healthy patient, the jawbone is stimulated by the tooth root, keeping it strong and healthy.
When a patient loses a tooth, the jaw no longer receives this stimulation, and the bone can begin to deteriorate. This can lead to the appearance of facial sagging and remaining teeth shifting out of place.
A dental implant features a titanium post anchor that a dentist surgically places in the jaw, replacing the missing tooth root and stimulating the jaw once again. It can also encourage the bone to regenerate if any bone has already been lost.
Patience and Determination with the Implant Process
Some dental patients may worry that the implant process is invasive and lengthy. Placing an anchor into the jaw to support an implant requires oral surgery which may take several months to heal completely before a final prosthetic can be secured into place.
An ideal candidate for dental implants will have a strong understanding of what the process entails and will exhibit patience and determination. The final results will provide restorative and cosmetic benefits to your smile that will last a lifetime, so the treatment will be worth the wait. Ask your dentist for more details about the specific dental implant treatment you will receive.
Dental Implants and More Restorative Dentistry in Media, PA
Dr. Hillyard provides dental implants and other tooth replacement solutions to patients in Media, PA. Our practice also specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry, including preventative and emergency dental care, for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation with our team, contact our staff online or reach us by phone at 610.756.0649.