If you’ve ever wondered how important replacing lost teeth is, consider the fact that one of their major functions is preparing your food for digestion so that your body can receive the fuel it needs. Since eating is a lifelong necessity, so is a full and fully-functioning set of teeth. Healthy teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but that’s often not the case, and replacing teeth as soon as possible after they’re lost is vital to retaining the rest of your oral health. While the art and science of tooth replacement has been an important part of dentistry for a very long time, the modern tools and techniques used by your Des Moines dentist can offer lifelike restorations that mimic your natural tooth’s structure, appearance, strength, and function.

Securing Traditional Dental Prosthetics

Stability is a big factor when replacing teeth that were meant to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing on a daily basis. A loose replacement tooth won’t serve much good, and can even make your bite more uncomfortable than it is without it. Different dental prosthetics utilize different devices to remain securely in place, and these mechanisms can range from discrete clasps to gum-colored bases that are attached with special dental adhesives. However, when trying to mimic the stability that nature provides, it’s best to follow nature’s own example, which includes more than just the visible parts of your teeth that traditional dental prosthetics replace.

Introducing Dental Implants—the Prosthetic Tooth Roots

Natural, healthy teeth are secured in place by their roots, which extend below your gums and are embedded in your jawbone. While dentures and bridges focus on restoring your ability to chew and speak properly, dental implants help improve your fabricated teeth’s function and comfort by replacing the roots of your lost teeth. Surgically inserted into your jawbone, dental implants are crafted from biocompatible titanium that facilitates osseointegration—the process of your jawbone fusing to the implant’s surface. Once healed, your dental implants serve as prosthetic tooth roots that help you replace your missing tooth’s entire root-and-crown structure.

Learn More About Dental Implants in Des Moines

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, don’t hesitate to learn your best options for replacing them. You can schedule an appointment with your Des Moines dentist by calling Gateway Dental Group at (515) 244-9565. Located in the 50309 area, we proudly welcome patients from Des Moines, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.