The most significant difference between implants and dental bridges or dentures is that an implant is an artificial titanium root that Dr. Kai places surgically in your jaw.
During healing, a process called osseointegration occurs, and the artificial root fuses with the bone and tissue around it to become a permanent replacement root. After healing, Dr. Kai will attach a crown, bridge, or denture to restore function and appearance.
Dentures and bridges sit on top of the gums and often causes bone recession that can threaten your oral health and give your face a sunken appearance. However, since the implant is rooted in your jaw, it continues to stimulate the regeneration of healthy bone.
Why should I replace missing teeth?
The loss of one tooth causes several things to happen that compromise your overall oral health. Teeth adjacent to the open space start to drift into it causing misalignments and problems with your dental bite. Deterioration of bone in the jaw is common with a missing tooth, and in the first year alone after tooth loss, 25 percent of bone is lost. When this occurs, it not only threatens neighboring teeth, but it also gives your face a sunken or drawn appearance.
You need to replace a missing tooth with something, and dental implants are a state-of-the-art solution. Because they are placed surgically in your jaw bone and act as a replacement root, implants provide stable support for a crown, bridge, or denture.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care that includes diligent oral hygiene and routine exams and hygiene appointments, your implant should last a lifetime.
In the decades they’ve been in use, dental implants have an impressive 95 percent success rate. When they do fail, it’s usually because of gum disease that attacks the structures in your jaw and threatens the stability of your implant.
A common problem associated with periodontal disease is gums that pull away from your teeth. This provides a path for bacteria to develop below the gums and lead to an infectious disease called peri-implantitis.
Many people are good candidates for dental implant placement, and if you would like to see if you’re one of them, please call Alpharetta Creek Restorative Dentistry. We will arrange a commitment-free consultation with Dr. Kai to help you decide if dental implants are the right choice for you.
I’d like to see if dental implants are right for me. How should I get started?
If you’ve heard about dental implants, but you're not sure if they’re the right choice for you, please call Alpharetta Creek Restorative Dentistry. While many people are good candidates for implants, there may be another type of tooth replacement that would suit you better.
We’ll be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Kai to discuss your tooth replacement goals and decide if dental implants offer the best solution in your case.