Dental implants fill the spaces left by tooth loss. Do you know they actually improve the quality of the jaw bone at extraction sites? At Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, your dentist, Dr. Adriana Torena, is the go-to dental implant expert. She'll show you how they can keep your smile whole.
The value of dental implants
Losing even one tooth really is a shame. Smile gaps impact oral function and the alignment and strength of remaining natural teeth. Plus, tooth loss invariably diminishes bone quality in the jaw. Tooth replacement with conventional bridges or dentures cannot fully exercise the jaw bone to keep it strong and functional.
As bone deteriorates, so do facial contours. The more teeth you lose, the older your face looks---whether you are in your elder years or not.
Dental implants change all that. The single-tooth implant consists of a titanium root, or screw, a metal alloy post and a custom-fabricated porcelain crown. The titanium root, surgically placed in the jaw, actually bonds with the bone through osseointegration. This natural process practically guarantees stable biting and chewing, clear speech and improved gum tissue and bone. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) says that people benefit most when they receive dental implants as expeditiously as possible after dental extraction.
The implant process
Dr. Torena can recommend dental implants when patients are in good oral and systemic health and when they have enough bone in their jaws to accept and support dental implant devices. At Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport, your dentist carefully examines her prospective implant patients, reviewing their medical histories and taking X-rays and other special imaging. With a treatment plan in place, the oral surgery can commence.
Once the dental implant is placed, healing and osseointegration begin. After a few months, the site should be ready to accept the metal post and crown. Multiple implants accept bridges or even full dentures in the case of extensive tooth loss.
Caring for your dental implants
It's as simple as caring for your natural teeth:
- Brush two times a day.
- Floss daily.
- See Dr. Torena every six months for a cleaning and check-up.
- Reduce the stresses of teeth clenching by wearing a night-time mouthguard.
Additionally, quit smoking if possible. The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine says cigarettes encourage peri-implantitis, an infection similar to advanced gum disease. Peri-implantitis loosens implants and harms gums and bone, causing implant failure.
Enjoy your smile again
A whole, functional smile is a healthy smile. Dental implants from Dr. Torena at Allure Dental Group in Bridgeport will help you achieve that goal. To learn all the details on this amazing procedure, call our office team for an implant consultation: (203) 368-9016.