What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the top methods to replace broken or missing teeth. If you have missing teeth, dental implants may be the best solution for you. A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post designed for the jaw bone, replacing the root of a missing tooth. The implant is supposed to support a dental crown, bridge, or denture to replace missing teeth. Dr. Christopher Banks offers dental implant solutions for patients in the Chevy Chase area.
What is the role of Dental Implants in Oral Health?
Dental implants are more than replacements for missing teeth. They help maintain and strengthen bone structure, provide the ability to chew food, have normal bite function, and give patients the confidence to smile again. They also protect existing teeth by helping to preserve bone structure. Implants are the best solution for simulating natural teeth. Dental implants make doing daily tasks like chewing and talking easier for the patient.
Will dental implants last a lifetime?
Dental implants have the potential to deteriorate or fail, but they can last an entire lifetime with proper care, good oral hygiene, and frequent visits to the dentist. Proper care increases the longevity of implants. Dental Implants are built to last long term.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- 98% success rate (highest rate compared to other dental procedures)
- Prevents bone loss and gum recession
- Promotes a healthier diet with fresh foods
- Unlike bridgework, requires no preparation to neighboring teeth
- Improves speech
- Improves comfort in denture wearing patients
- Improved ability to eat and chew
- Prevents facial sagging
- Comfortable
- Long-lasting and reliable
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants have become the go-to procedure by dentists for replacing missing teeth because of their many advantages.
Most dental implants used are made with titanium or titanium alloys which are also used in orthopedic implants and artificial hearts. The titanium and titanium alloy are biocompatible. Being biocompatible means that the material isn’t toxic or harmful to living tissues.
Titanium’s low electrical conductivity makes it the most biocompatible material to use. This makes it highly resistant to corrosion, so titanium implants shouldn’t corrode or rust when placed inside living tissue. This makes them very safe and non-toxic to humans.
To learn if dental implants are an appropriate tooth replacement solution for you, contact Dr. Christopher Banks at Smile Chevy Chase to discuss your dental restoration needs and bring back your smile and confidence!