Dental implants are a method for permanently replacing missing teeth. They are extremely versatile and can be used whether you are missing just one tooth or all your teeth. In Lynnwood, WA, at Dental Care Design, where Dr. Mark Janczakowski can help you determine if dental implants are right for you. Discover how dental implants restore beauty and function to your smile.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth and hold tooth restorations in place. They are small metal posts that look similar to a screw. The base of the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone like a tooth root. The top portion of the implant sits near the gum line and is where tooth restorations are placed. An abutment piece is used to attach crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures to dental implants. Once the tooth restorations are in place, the metal “root” portion of the implant will not be visible.
Candidates for Dental Implants
Since dental implants are placed directly in the jawbone, candidates for this tooth-replacement option must have an adequate amount of bone tissue in the jaw area. Through a naturally occurring process called osseointegration, the metal implants fuse to the bone. This process cannot occur properly if there is insufficient bone tissue. The fusing of the two materials is what makes dental implants so strong and secure. Replacement teeth anchored by dental implants will not shift out of place.
Bone loss is an unfortunate side effect of tooth loss so some individuals with missing teeth will not be candidates for dental implants. Bone tissue that is not supporting teeth is reabsorbed by the body. The experienced dentist at our office in Lynnwood, WA, can determine if dental implants are an option for you. If they are, we coordinate with a Specialist office to have the implant placed, and you return to our office to place the implant crown after the implants have been placed and healed.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
In addition to replacing missing teeth and their roots, dental implants offer numerous other benefits. They are versatile and can be used in conjunction with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implants are also extremely secure and long-lasting. Many patients experience a boost in self-confidence with their newly restored smile. Additionally, dental implants significantly reduce or reverse the negative side effects of tooth loss, including:
- Filling in gaps where teeth are missing
- Preventing teeth from shifting into gaps
- Restoring biting and chewing functions
- Minimizing the strain on teeth that were compensating for missing ones
- Providing support for facial muscles and reducing sagging
- Improving speech altered by missing teeth
- Stopping the bone loss in the jaw area
Dental implants are a secure and permanent way to replace missing teeth. For more information on dental implants in Lynnwood, WA, schedule a consultation with Dr. Janczakowski by calling Dental Care Design at (425) 771-9090.