Dental Implants

4 Things to Know About Dental Implants

Until recently, the options for tooth replacement were limited if you lost one of your permanent teeth. Bridges and dentures have traditionally been the only way to restore your smile to its normal appearance, but both require special care and maintenance and aren’t as functional as natural teeth.

Dental implants are the modern and long-lasting solution for lost teeth that preserve your oral health and maintain the feel and function of normal teeth. Dr. Michael Mulkey is a leading implant and cosmetic dentist in Marietta, GA. He has many years of experience helping patients restore their smile and confidence with dental implants.

1. Implants last a lifetime

Because tooth implants are surgically implanted in the jawbone, they can last for the rest of your life if cared for properly. The crown — the false tooth on top — of the implant will need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear, but the piece inserted into the jaw — the implant itself — can last many years. You should visit your dentist for routine examinations to make sure your implant is still functioning correctly.

2. Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy

While replacing your missing teeth may seem like purely a cosmetic concern, it’s much more than that. Having a gap or gaps in your teeth can actually cause your jawbone tissue to recede, shifting your teeth. This could potentially risk the neighboring teeth or the jawbone structure itself, and can lead to your face having a sunken appearance.

Dental implants replace even the root of the missing tooth — unlike dentures and bridges — which keeps the surrounding teeth in the right places and stimulates healthy jawbone tissue.

3. Implants protect healthy teeth

In addition to keeping the jawbone healthy, dental implants are beneficial to the teeth surrounding the missing tooth compared to other methods. Dental bridges — an older method of tooth replacement — involve removing the enamel from the surrounding teeth so they can serve as anchor points for the bridge. Implants are placed directly in the gap and do not need to be anchored by other teeth. The only teeth that are affected are the ones that need to be replaced.

4. Implants feel and function like natural teeth

Dental implants are designed to look, feel and function like your natural teeth. This means you can eat with them and brush them just like you already do with your own teeth. Other tooth replacement options need to be removed for cleaning and are generally less comfortable than implants (like dentures) or require special techniques to clean (like bridges). Dental implants can be cleaned just like your natural teeth and do not require any special care.

Dental Implants in Marietta, GA

Implants are a long-term investment in your teeth so why not treat them as such. Lost Mountain Dental at Due West, Dr. Mulkey’s practice in Marietta is focused on providing its’ patients with a  functional smile that helps boost confidence and gives patients the best possible quality of life. Schedule your comprehensive consultation online or call 678.212.1280 to start restoring your smile and confidence today.

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Published by
Katie Okeefe

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