What is a dental implant and why would you need one?
When tooth decay, disease, injury, or some other issue leads to tooth loss, it’s important to replace the lost tooth. When one or more teeth are missing, the overall appearance of your smile is most obviously affected. But beyond the appearance of your smile, missing teeth can also affect your overall dental health. For example, a gap created by a missing tooth can result in the remaining teeth drifting out of position and into the gap.
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Every tooth has roots that lie below the gum line. A tooth’s roots support the crown of the tooth, which is the visible portion of the tooth that lies above the gum line. When a tooth is missing, dental implants replace natural tooth roots and provide a strong and durable foundation for replacement teeth.
Why dental implants may be right for you.
Dental implants are an excellent option because they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Moreover, because dental implants are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent. In general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98% and with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Dental implants can also improve your long-term oral health. Unlike a dental bridge, dental implants don’t require reducing or altering the nearby teeth because dental implants are fully supported on their own. This means that with a dental implant, more of your own natural teeth are left fully intact, which leads to improved long-term oral health. Additionally, dental implants allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
Is getting a dental implant painful?
No, the procedure for getting a dental implant is not painful. Most people who receive dental implants say that there is very little pain or discomfort involved in the procedure. Moreover, at Northern Edge Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that every dental procedure is as painless as possible, including the procedure for placing dental implants.