Dental implants keep your smile whole by filling in the gaps where teeth are missing. Implants can be used in conjunction with crowns, bridgework, or fixed dentures to replace a single tooth or several. Dr. Charles Elkington, the skilled dentist at Hurricane Dental Group in Hurricane, UT, can determine if implants are an option for you. Dental Implants Dental implants have quickly become the method of choice for restoring your smile following tooth loss. An implant is a small metal post that is placed directly in jaw bone tissue. The post functions similarly to a root to anchor a prosthetic tooth securely in place. A single implant can be topped with a dental crown when replacing just one tooth. When several teeth are missing, multiple implants can be used to hold a dental bridge or fixed denture in place. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Patients without sufficient bone tissue in the jaw area might not be able to benefit from this exciting tooth-replacement option. Unfortunately, tooth loss also leads to bone loss over time. One of the reasons dental implants are so secure is that they permanently fuse with bone tissue over a period of several months. This process cannot happen if there is not enough bone to place the implant. It is also important to have healthy gums prior to placing dental implants. Infected or receding gum tissue can interfere with the process of the implant and bone fusing together. The experienced dentist at our office in Hurricane can determine if implants are an option for restoring your smile. Benefits of Dental Implants There are several benefits to restoring your smile with dental implants. A primary benefit is that they are extremely secure since they are rooted in the bone. They are also long-lasting. Since implants fuse with bone tissue, they should remain in place permanently and never need to be replaced so long as you maintain good oral health. In addition to restoring your smile, dental implants also restore tooth functioning. When several teeth are missing it can affect the ability to eat certain foods. By making your smile whole again, implants help restore biting and chewing functions. Further, patients can readily bite into and chew a variety of foods without worrying about the replacement teeth coming loose since they are securely anchored by the implants. An especially exciting benefit of getting dental implants is that they help preserve bone tissue, which is known to diminish following tooth loss. The body naturally reabsorbs bone tissue over time when there are no teeth for the bone to support. Placing dental implants directly in bone tissue prevents the body from attempting to reabsorb it. You can securely and permanently keep your smile whole with dental implants. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Elkington to find out if you are a candidate for implants by calling Hurricane Dental Group in Hurricane, UT, at (435) 635-4492. |