It’s never a good idea to simply live with missing teeth. If you do, chewing food will become more difficult, and eventually your other teeth will shift in place to fill in the gap left behind by the missing teeth. Over time, this can throw your bite off, lead to problems with your jaw, and even change the shape of your face! Fortunately, modern-day dentures and dental prosthetics are available that perform very much like natural teeth. Dental implants are often used to hold these dentures and prosthetic devices in place, or – if the patient is missing one or just a few teeth – implants can be used to replace the missing teeth. At Apple Dental, we are pleased to be able to provide dental implant services to our many patients from throughout the Monroe, LA, area.
What You Should Know about Dental Implants
In very simple terms, an implant consists of an artificial tooth attached to an artificial root. The root is implanted into the jawbone of a patient. After a period of several months, the root fuses to the bone, and the artificial tooth is then affixed to the fused root. The process is a long one, but the end result is as close to a brand new tooth as dental technology will allow – a permanent dental appliance that looks and performs very much like a natural tooth.
Although the process may be time-consuming, it’s understandable why so many patients opt for dental implants. These appliances are quite strong and durable, often lasting for the lifetime of the patient. They can be cared for exactly as your natural teeth are cared for – by flossing and brushing. When used as an anchor for dentures or dental prosthetics, implants allow artificial teeth to fit securely and snugly in a patient’s mouth.
Contact Our Office Today for More Information
As is always the case with any dental appliance or procedure, dental implants may not be the best choice for every patient. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanderson, Dr. Haynes, or Dr. Williamson and to find out more about dental implants. Your dentist can help you decide whether an implant is the right choice for you.
