Why Implants Are Considered the Gold Standard for Tooth Restoration

Despite technological advancements in dentistry, millions of Americans lose at least one of their permanent teeth each year. In fact, research shows that old age is not the leading cause of tooth loss. Tooth loss is attributed to periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries.

However, due to the technological advancements in dentistry, we can comfortably restore your smile. We have a plethora of options when it comes to tooth restoration. Our dentist in Lexington, MA, offers a wide variety of dental restoration options such as dentures and dental implants.

However, dental implant restoration in Lexington, MA, is the gold standard for tooth restoration. So, let’s see what implants are all about.

Understanding Implants

Ever since the late sixties, implants have been transforming smiles across the globe. This is because implants offer what other restorations don’t—stability. Implants are a titanium post that our dentist in Lexington, MA, surgically inserts in your jawbone.

Technically, it is not a tooth replacement but a root replacement. This means that when you lose a tooth, implants will replace the whole tooth from the crown to the root. This is why a typical implant consists of three main parts:

• The implant. This is the titanium screw-like post, which replaces your root.
• The abutment or connector. This is the part that links the implant to the dental prosthesis or tooth replacement.
• Tooth replacement. This is the dental prosthesis that acts as the visible part of the tooth. It can be a crown, bridge, or denture.

Are You Eligible to Get Implants?

Ideally, if you are healthy enough to withstand an extraction or an oral surgery, then you can get an implant. You also need to have healthy gums and enough healthy bone to support the implant. Proper dental habits are also essential to keep your smile healthy.

However, if you fall in any of the following categories, then it is not advisable for you to get implants:

• You suffer from an uncontrollable condition such as diabetes or heart disease
• You are a heavy smoker
• You have undergone radiation therapy around the neck or head area

How Is It Done?

Several steps are involved before you get your tooth replaced. The number of stages is highly dependent on the patient. Generally, the steps are as follows:

• An examination will be done by our dentist near you to ascertain whether you have healthy bone and gum tissue.
• If you do not have enough bone, then bone grafting will be done to aid in bulking the bone to provide adequate support for the implants.
• Then, our dentist will surgically insert the implant in your jawbone. You will be given some time, close to four months, for your bone to heal. This allows the process of osseointegration to take place. This means that the titanium implant has totally fused to your bone.
• After healing, our dentist places the abutment, which connects the implant to the prosthesis.
• Lastly, you get to choose whether you will use a crown, denture, or bridge as your tooth replacement.

Just like that, your smile will be as good as new.

Why Choose Implants?

Implants boast of a myriad of advantages as compared to other dental restoration options. However, implants sit atop that list because of these three reasons:

• Stability

Dentures and bridges are good tooth replacement options, but they cannot offer what implants offer; that is stability. Dentures may shift in your mouth when you talk or eat. Bridges depend on other teeth for anchorage, so they cannot be used without affecting your other teeth.

However, when using an implant, the titanium post replaces your tooth root. When inserted, the implant completely fuses with your jawbone and becomes a part of you. So, when a crown is placed on the implant, it acts like your natural tooth.

• Bone Health

When you lose a tooth, bone loss is inevitable. You will notice that some people have their faces pruned around the mouth after they lose their teeth. The process is gradual, but it eventually happens. This is because nothing is occupying the space that your tooth root occupied. However, implants solve this problem since they are root replacements.

• Versatility

Implants can be used to replace one, several, or all of your teeth. They do not exclude you from using your preferred tooth-replacement option. If you desire to use implant-supported dentures, crowns, or bridges, implants have got you covered.

Dental implant restoration in Lexington, MA, is the crème de la crème of dental restorations. If you are thinking of revamping your smile or you need general dentistry in Lexington, MA, call our dentist at Barry J. Cunha to schedule an appointment.