We Rebuild More Than Smiles With Dental Implants In Billerica
Is the health and appearance of your smile affected by missing teeth? Missing teeth can compromise oral health by causing surrounding teeth to shift, bite misalignment, jawbone loss, and a higher risk for gum disease. The team at Merry Dental is here to help you achieve your best smile.
What are Dental Implants?
The most advanced treatment for missing teeth is dental implants. They are a permanent tooth replacement option that can restore the health, function, and appearance of your smile.
Unlike dentures, which sit on top of the gums, implants are surgically attached to your jawbone. They are topped with custom-fitted teeth that look and function like natural teeth.
They are composed of three parts:
• A titanium post implanted into your jawbone
• An abutment, a rod that is inserted into the post
• A replacement tooth (crown), usually made of natural-looking ceramic shaped and shaded to blend in with the surrounding natural teeth.
Implants can replace a single missing tooth, two or more teeth in a row, and full arch reconstruction if you have more severely damaged or missing teeth.
They can also support a dental bridge or a complete set of dentures. Implant-supported bridges and dentures are more secure, comfortable, and offer improved functionality.
What to Expect During Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment usually involves treatment planning, implant attachment, and crown placement.
At the treatment planning stage, we use advanced digital technology to create a detailed image of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. This allows us to precisely plan treatment for your individual needs.
Treatment planning can give you a better idea of what to expect during dental implants. Having realistic expectations about treatment procedures and possible outcomes can help you feel more confident about treatment results.
Implant attachment is the most involved stage of treatment. Another dental specialist, like an oral surgeon or periodontist, often attaches the implant.
Some patients may need additional treatments like bone grafts before their jawbone is strong enough to hold an implant. This can add to the time it takes to complete the implant stage.
After the implant is attached, there is a healing period during which the implant integrates with the jawbone, called osseointegration. This strengthens the jawbone and ensures the implant is held securely in place.
Once the implant healing period is done, the final step is the placement of the crown. A custom-made crown, designed to blend in with your natural teeth, is fitted on top of the abutment, which connects the implant and the crown.
The time it takes to complete the dental implant process can vary depending on each patient’s individual diagnosis and treatment. For example, the healing period for patients with lower jawbone density might take much longer than that for those with healthy jawbones.
Benefits of Dental Implants
However long it takes, once you see the results, you’ll agree that dental implants are worth the wait! They are the best way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. Here are just some of the biggest benefits of getting dental implants at Merry Dental:
Replacement of Missing Teeth
Dental implants are the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Whether you have lost one or more teeth due to an accident or advanced tooth decay and gum disease, dental implants can restore the look and function of your smile.
Dental implants are surgically attached to your jawbone, creating a sturdy and stable base for replacement teeth. They enable replacement teeth to look and function like natural, healthy teeth.
Maintaining Proper Alignment
Missing teeth can significantly impact proper tooth alignment. The gap left by a missing tooth can cause surrounding teeth to shift, making them harder to clean, vulnerable to wear and damage, and at an increased risk for developing cavities and gum disease.
Dental implants ensure that your teeth stay in proper alignment. The replacement tooth supported by an implant looks and feels like the natural surrounding teeth.
Prevention of Bone Loss
Missing teeth create a space in the jawbone, which can begin to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Without a tooth root, bone tissue shrinks and starts to be reabsorbed.
A dental implant acts like an artificial tooth root. When placed into the jawbone, it provides necessary stimulation, prevents bone loss, and maintains the jaw’s structure and strength.
Support of Facial Structure
Bone loss caused by missing teeth can lead to changes in the structure of your face. It can make your face look shrunken or prematurely aged.
By preserving the jawbone, dental implants help support the natural contours of your face, helping you maintain a more healthy and youthful appearance.
Dental implants are the best way to ensure you maintain a complete set of teeth. With dental implants at Merry Dental, you don’t have to let missing teeth compromise the health and appearance of your smile! Schedule an appointment with our Billerica, MA, office today to start your journey towards a healthier, happier smile.