A dental bridge usually lasts about 10 to 15 years, while removable full or partial dentures last about 5 to 10 years. But what if you could have a prosthetic that lasts for decades, possibly even a lifetime? In today’s blog, your Des Moines, IA, dentist talks about how we ensure your dental implants last!
Preparing Your Smile
Dental implants are not like other prosthetics. They don’t rely on clasps, suction, or crowns to be held in place. Instead, the implant portion, a biocompatible titanium post, is inserted into the jawbone to act as a new tooth. Which means we first need to take a close look at your smile. Issues like periodontitis, which often cause tooth loss, could cause implant failure. We may need to treat the underlying issues and manage them before moving forward. We also want to make sure you have enough jawbone tissue to support these new roots, as your smile loses mass and density following tooth loss. Again, we could discuss options like jawbone grafting to rebuild and fortify your smile.
Placement and Osseointegration
Using advanced digital x-rays and intraoral camera images, we can plan the exact area and angle to insert the post, ensuring they not only support the restoration or prosthetic, but that they also stimulate the growth of bone tissue. The bonding process between your new teeth and the jaw is known as osseointegration, and this helps keep them in place for decades, sometimes even a lifetime. Once this occurs, we can move forward with the visible part of your new teeth. We attach an abutment that extends above the gum line, and then connect a restoration for a single missing tooth, or a prosthetic for several. We take care to ensure these look natural and return function to your smile once again!
A Lifetime of Full Smiles
The same care that preserves your natural teeth could help your new ones last just as long. You should always take time to brush and floss them, just as you would the rest of your smile. Avoid tobacco products, and see us regularly for checkups and cleanings. These visits let us keep a close eye on your smile, and address any issues that arise before they can compromise your new teeth. If you schedule a consultation now, you can use your leftover 2021 dental insurance benefits or your remaining health savings funds before they expire! If you have any questions, then give our team a call today to start your journey to a full smile.
TALK TO YOUR DES MOINES, IA DENTIST ABOUT IMPLANT DENTAL CARE
Our team wants to help you maintain a full smile! To find out more about how we replace your missing teeth, then please contact your Des Moines, IA, dentist, Dr. Burds, by calling 515-244-9565.