The secret behind the success of dental implants is their ability to give us a strong and stable base where we can place a beautiful fake tooth, also known as a dental crown. By focusing our attention on the root, we can replace it with a tiny titanium screw that does all the same things as a naturally occurring root. While other solutions in tooth restoration focus solely on the tooth, or the portion above the gum, dental implants are a complete solution that starts with the base and works its way up through the gums. This is a much more holistic way of replacing teeth, and hence much more viable.
Dental implants have had to overcome more than one obstacle in the path to become the number one choice for patients who want to replace their lost teeth. The largest has been the idea that dental implants are purely a cosmetic device. This idea has merit in that dental implants provide us with a perfect base upon which to give you a new tooth. This has led to the idea of a great smile being possible after tooth loss and has contributed to the idea that they are only for aesthetics. As a result, many insurance companies felt like this was an optional solution and would not support it. Today, science is working to change those perceptions. We know that dental implants do more than just support a great smile, they also work in concert with the jawbone to ensure that your facial structure stays intact. The implants provide the jawbone with the stimulus the bone needs in order to avoid resorption by the body. Additionally dental implants can help with bite and other dental concerns that have nothing to do with aesthetics.
Trends in tooth loss –
Would you believe that tooth loss starts to get serious when you become a middle-aged adult? A study by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has shown that tooth loss is very common among the 35 to 44-year-old demographic, with 69% reporting tooth loss due to an accident, decay, or gum disease. This is over half the population in this demographic that needs to have a replacement tooth. It also explains why 15 million Americans are using some form of tooth replacement technology other than dental implants. Dentures and bridges are the traditional means of replacing lost teeth though neither one of these offers the benefits of dental implants. We seek to educate our patients as to the health reasons for selecting implants over these other solutions. To learn more, call and schedule a consultation.