The loss of a tooth is more than just a cosmetic problem, even though it can alter how someone smiles and even change the shape of their face. While a periodontist in Pompano Beach can help manage your oral health to prevent tooth loss, there are instances where a tooth can’t be saved. Fortunately, dental implants can help make a difference when it comes to fixing missing teeth.
If you want to learn more about dental implants and how they can help replace your missing or damaged teeth, here’s all the information you need.
An open space left by a missing tooth can be filled by neighboring teeth, leading to misaligned teeth, jaw problems, bite problems, and uneven tooth wear. For instance, missing teeth can alter jaw functions, leading to uneven tooth wear. One or more missing teeth can also make it difficult for someone to properly chew their food, which can cause digestive problems or even change how they eat.
Although dental implants are a fantastic way to replace one or more missing teeth, the process can take up to eight months and involve two surgeries. The dentist carefully places the screw inside the empty tooth socket during the initial procedure. Sutures and general anesthesia are frequently needed for the procedure.
The jawbone grows around the implant and firmly anchors it during the healing process, lasting between three and six months. The dentist exposes the implant and places a small abutment on it during the second procedure. An abutment is a post that holds the artificial tooth in place. After the gums from the second procedure have fully healed, the dentist attaches the artificial tooth to the patient.
Many patients who cannot wait eight months for replacement teeth find the lengthy process a drawback. A person who has been toothless for a while might have lost too much bone to support a dental implant because dental implants need a certain amount of bone for support.
Dentures fill in the gap left by missing teeth and function reasonably well for biting and chewing, providing an adequate solution to tooth loss. However, dentures can slip, fall out, and make it hard to speak clearly or eat certain foods, and they don’t always look and feel like real teeth. Additionally, they frequently need more maintenance than natural teeth.
At Park Plaza Dental, our dedicated periodontist can help prevent tooth loss and other gum-related diseases before it could worsen. Give us a call today to learn more about the services we offer!
If you have any questions about the services we offer, don’t hesitate to call Park Plaza Dental. Our team is here to make your next appointment a comfortable and productive one.