Until recently, there weren’t many options for people who lost or severely damaged a permanent tooth. Bridges and dentures were only the options to restore your smile to its normal appearance, but they require additional maintenance and frequent replacing without the same functionality as natural teeth.
But now we have a long-lasting solution for replacing lost or damaged teeth that promotes a healthy smile while also providing the feel and function of normal teeth. Drs. Clement and Kamron Monroe are skilled and professional implant and cosmetic dentistry providers in Pinehurst, NC with many combined years of experience helping their patients restore both their smiles and confidence. Allow Drs. Monroe and Monroe to explain why you should choose implants to replace your lost teeth.
1. Implants last a lifetime
Due to the fact that they are surgically embedded into your jawbone with a titanium screw that your bone tissue will bond to, your dental implant can last for the rest of your life with proper care. The ceramic false tooth mounted atop the implant — the crown — may need to be replaced periodically due to normal wear and tear, but this is a simple and relatively inexpensive process The implant itself can last decades with conscientious use, possibly even the rest of your life. Be certain to visit Drs. Monroe & Monroe or your area dentist for regular check-ups to verify your implant is still functioning correctly.
2. Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy
Although replacing your missing teeth may seem like purely a cosmetic concern, living with a gap in the jawbone from the missing root of the lost tooth can actually cause the bone tissue to erode. This could potentially put the stability of your bite and the shape of your face at risk and could cause your mouth to have a sunken appearance that you may see may denture-wearers have.
Dental implants replace the missing tooth right down to the root, which promotes the growth of new healthy bone tissue and secures the implant and prevents movement of the neighboring teeth from bone regression.
3. Implants protect healthy teeth
In addition to promoting healthy jawbone tissue and preventing remaining teeth from drifting, dental implants require no preparation of the neighboring teeth as dental bridges do. When you have a dental bridge placed, the teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile must be crowned to support the crown replacing the tooth in between. This involves removing the enamel of these surrounding teeth in order to place the crown over top.
Alternatively, dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone in the gap left by the missing tooth and do not need to be anchored by other teeth. So when you receive an implant, the only teeth affected are the ones that need to be replaced.
4. Implants feel and function like natural teeth
Dental implants require no specialized care or cleaning to be maintained or function. Dentures must be removed for cleaning and cemented into the mouth with messy adhesives. While bridges need to be flossed carefully in order to clean under and around them. Implants, however, allow you to brush and floss your teeth just as you would with your natural teeth and never need to be removed unless damaged.
Dental Implants in Pinehurst, NC
Dental implants are a long-term investment in your smile. Drs. Monroe & Monroe Implant & General Dentistry in Pinehurst, NC are committed to the care and maintenance of a comfortable, functional smile solution that restores your confidence and promotes better oral health. Schedule your comprehensive consultation online or call 910.420.3670 to begin the restoration process with Drs. Monroe & Monroe today.