After losing one or more teeth, the entire harmony of your oral health can be disrupted. Even if the loss occurs towards the back of your dental ridge and is not immediately noticeable, the missing tooth/teeth can still affect your bite’s health and balance. While you have several options for restoring your smile after tooth loss, your restoration may enjoy better long-term success with the support of one or more dental implants. Conventional dental bridges and dentures may provide lifelike replicas of your lost teeth’s crowns (visible parts), but only dental implants offer a solution for rebuilding your lost teeth’s roots.
An Understanding of Dental Implants
A dental implant is a single, biocompatible post, often crafted from titanium, that supports your dental prosthetic. The post acts like a tooth root, and not only supports your replacement teeth, but also provides much-needed stimulation to your jawbone. Every time you bite and chew, the stimulated post invites a healthy flow of nutrients to the surrounding jawbone—a function that is lost along with your natural teeth. Because the implant post is biocompatible, your jawbone will accept it as genuine, fusing around the post as the bone heals. Once the post is ready, we can attach a connective abutment and secure your dental prosthetic to the anchored root.
Long-Term Success with Dental Implants
Another benefit of dental implants is that once your jawbone has healed around them, the implant posts can last for life with proper care and maintenance. The lifelike support means you can keep your dental prosthetic clean with relative ease, brushing and flossing it along with your teeth at least twice every day and visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Since dental implants rely on the strength of your gums and jawbone, preventing gum disease and other dental health issues is paramount to the long-term success of your dental implants and restoration.
ABOUT YOUR BUTLER, PA, DENTIST:
Dr. Keelan and our dedicated team at Keelan Dental offer patients the comfortable, convenient dental care that everyone needs and deserves. To schedule an initial consultation, or your next dental appointment, call our office in Butler, PA at (724) 285-4153. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Butler, Cranberry Township, Mars, Pittsburgh, Butler County, and all surrounding communities.