A dental implant offers a replacement for your tooth roots that helps ensure a long-lasting and durable solution for missing teeth. But what about the parts people see when you smile? In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist will explain how we use custom-made restorations to provide a new chewing surface that looks great and lasts for years to come!
Each dental implant will be supported with a post, one made from biocompatible titanium that bonds with the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. We insert them in areas chosen to best support new teeth or prosthetics and stimulate the growth of bone tissue. We guide them in place with advanced technology. The root helps ensure your new teeth can last for decades to come, and helps provide a full smile. Once we complete this portion, we move forward with the restoration, the part everyone sees when you flash your new smile!
An abutment will be added to the implant post, which then allows us to attach a dental crown for those with individual dental implants. If you have more severe cases of tooth loss, then we may use abutments to secure a bridge or denture instead. Whether we use a crown or prosthetic, the visible portion will be created based on detailed images and impressions taken of your smile. We want to ensure they fit comfortably, restore bite balance, and also blend with the rest of your smile. The ceramic material we use for your new teeth is translucent like tooth enamel, and can be tinted to match the exact shade of surrounding teeth.
A major benefit of implant dentistry, aside from a lifelike appearance, is the ability for your new teeth to last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime in some cases. To ensure this, you need to protect your new teeth and natural ones from underlying oral health issues, like gum disease or infection. First, make sure you see us every six months for a checkup and cleaning, so we remove harmful buildup and also keep an eye out for the earliest indicators of trouble. At home, be sure you brush and floss, and try to enjoy a healthier diet too. If you have any questions about the process of tooth replacement, or about caring for your new smile, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a full and attractive smile in 2021!
At Peddicord Family Dentistry, we want to help you maintain a full and functional smile that looks great too. Call Dr. Peddicord in our Ankeny, IA office at (515) 963-3339 to learn more about the benefits of addressing tooth loss with dental implants.
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