When one of our patients is missing one or more teeth, we recommend dental implants as their best method of tooth replacement because implants are permanently fixed and feel and act like natural teeth.
A person with dental implants does not need to care for them any differently than his or her natural teeth. There are no dietary restrictions and with the right care, implants can last for the rest of a person’s life.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is composed of three parts: the implant, the abutment (a connector) and the crown. The implant is a small titanium post that acts as the support of the replacement tooth. The crown is the porcelain replacement for the part of the tooth you see. The abutment is the connector between the implant and the crown.
Where a tooth has been lost, the bone of the jaw will be prepared to receive the titanium implant. The implant will then be placed in the bone.
When that bone has bonded well with the implant, the abutment is added to the top of the implant and the gum around it is allowed to heal. Next, an impression is taken of the patient’s teeth so a perfect crown can be manufactured. This crown is shaped and colored to match the patient’s other teeth.
To complete the dental implant in our Marshfield, MA office, the crown is permanently attached to the abutment.
Benefits of a Dental Implant
The benefits of an implant go much further than just completing a person’s smile. When a person is missing teeth, the bone of the jaw does not receive its normal stimulation from biting and chewing. Although it seems a little unusual, it’s the pressure of biting and chewing that helps the bone in the jaw stay strong and healthy. Without it, bone that has no tooth to stimulate it can be broken down by the body, a process called “resorption.”
If you’ve ever seen an older person whose lower face looked shrunken and even caved in, it could be because that person lost his or her teeth and has suffered jawbone loss as a result. Because dental implants act like a patient’s natural teeth, bone receives normal stimulation and does not break down. The shape of a patient’s face stays much more youthful.
When you receive implants, you can treat them just like your natural teeth. You don’t need to remove them for cleaning and you do not need to floss under them like a bridge. You simply need to brush and floss as you normally would and see your dentist regularly.
The number to call for dental implants, Marshfield, Massachusetts:
781-837-6655.
After receiving his degree as a doctor of dental medicine, Dr. Melevsky received additional training as an oral surgeon. This training gives him expert skills in placing dental implants. If you are missing teeth, please talk to us to learn why dental implants can be the perfect way to replace them. For dental implants near Marshfield, call us to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure.