What Are The Long Term Benefits of Dental Implants

Thanks to modern cosmetic dentistry, there are now more options available for people looking to fix the look and health of their smile. For anyone missing one or several teeth, either as the result of an injury or from gum (periodontal) disease or infection, the standard options for replacing missing teeth were typically dentures, crowns, and bridges. And while many people think of missing teeth primarily as a cosmetic issue, the fact is that they can also lead to oral health problems, such as bone loss in the jaw that can potentially affect the health of the gums and surrounding teeth over time.

How Dental Implants Work

There are several steps in replacing a missing tooth with an implant. Unlike dentures, which are removable and attach to the gums over the surface, an implant is a cone shaped titanium screw that replaces the root of the missing tooth in the jaw. Once it is implanted, it fuses with the surrounding bone and becomes permanently fixed in the jaw. After the implant has healed, the dentist will add an abutment, which attaches the implant to the replacement for the visible portion of the missing tooth, usually a crown. Implants are custom-designed to fit and replace each individual tooth, and are not held in place by neighboring teeth as with bridges. This makes them a good option to replace one or several missing teeth throughout the upper and lower jaw. Most healthy individuals with enough bone tissue in the jaw are typically candidates for dental implants.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Look and feel like natural teeth
• Permanent alternative to removable dentures and other temporary tooth replacement options
• Improved speech, secure fit
• Do not require shaving or filing of healthy teeth in order to fit
• Easy to maintain and care for as natural teeth
• Help to prevent further loss of bone tissue in the gums and shifting of remaining teeth

Implant Dentist in Fresno

To learn more about the benefits of dental implants and whether you are a candidate, contact Alexander Pritsky, DMD at Fresno Dental Implants and Periodontics at (559) 298-3900 to schedule an appointment today!