Dental Implant Dentist in Richboro, PA
RG Dental Group provides dental implant restorations in Richboro, Pennsylvania, to replace your missing teeth and restore your oral health and smile. An implant restoration is designed to “cap” the top of your implant with a dental crown that looks and functions like a real tooth. We invite you to call us at 215-355-6406 to learn more about dental implant restorations and set up your consultation with our experienced dentists, Dr. Faisal Mirza.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a tooth replacement with a structure similar to that of a natural tooth. The titanium post of the implant replaces the tooth’s root and is secured into the jawbone. The post then supports a restoration such as a crown, bridge or set of dentures. The secure foundation of a dental implant permits natural oral function for speaking and eating, and it can last many years or even a lifetime with proper care.
Dental implants can replace single or multiple missing teeth, and they have become very advanced over the years and have many advantages over other tooth replacement options. Our dentists can explain the dental implant procedure and let you know if you are a good candidate for this popular restorative treatment.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
If you are in generally good oral health and if you are missing one or more teeth or need to have teeth extracted due to irreparable damage or decay, you may be a good candidate for dental implants. Dental implants may also be a good option for you if you wish to replace your removable dentures with something more permanent and comfortable.
If you have gum disease or insufficient jawbone density, we may need to address those issues first before we can provide you with a dental implant.
Benefits & Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental Implants Act Like Natural Teeth
A dental implant allows you to speak and eat normally due to its stability and tooth-like structure, and it can be brushed and flossed like a natural tooth. Many patients forget that their dental implants are not their natural teeth.
Dental Implants Can Last a Lifetime
When cared for properly at home and through regular visits to a dental professional, dental implants can last many years and possibly even the rest of your life. The biocompatible material of the implant works well with your body’s biology and can stay in very good condition with good dental care, just like your natural teeth.
Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss
The jawbone is resorbed in the areas where teeth are missing because there are no longer roots to keep the bone stimulated. The jawbone loss is gradual over the years, but it can result in reduced facial volume that gives you an aged appearance if you wait too long to replace missing teeth.
Removable dentures may cause the jawbone to resorb more rapidly due to rubbing against the jawbone ridge and wearing it away over time. An implant post replaces a missing tooth’s root, keeping the jawbone sufficiently thick in that area and preventing it from shrinking.
Dental Implants Maintain Stability of Adjacent Teeth
When a tooth is missing, the other teeth in your mouth may move out of place toward the gap. This can change your bite and your ability to chew, and the crooked alignment may also affect your self-esteem when you smile for photos. Crooked teeth can also create problems for your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cause headaches or discomfort in your jaw.
Dental Implants Can Help Prevent Gum Disease
Bacteria and food can get trapped in the space left behind by a missing tooth, which can irritate and infect your gums.
Dental Implants Can Maintain Facial Volume & Prevent an Aged Appearance
When the jawbone shrinks due to missing teeth, your lower face may start to sag and collapse. This can lead to wrinkles, thinned lips and a pointed chin, making you look older than you really are.
When tooth roots are not replaced, the face can start to droop as the jawbone deteriorates. Dental implants can prevent jawbone shrinkage so you can maintain your facial volume.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Stability & Chewing Power
Dentures supported by implants can provide greater stability and chewing power than removable dentures can.
Dental implants can provide more comfort due to their stability. Traditional dentures can slip and feel loose in the mouth, preventing you from speaking and eating normally. Dentures may also lose their fit over time as they wear away at the jawbone, resulting in accelerated bone loss. Even with the technology of today, it is difficult to fit dentures securely in the mouth due to this continual wear on the body ridges of your jaw.
Perhaps the most frustrating part about dentures is their limitation when it comes to chewing. Many patients with dentures are unable to eat the foods they love because the dentures do not provide the needed stability.
Here are some things to consider when choosing to restore your smile with either traditional dentures or implant-supported dentures:
- Dentures usually need dental adhesives to stay in the mouth. An adhesive may need to be reapplied after meals. Implant-supported dentures do not need adhesives.
- Dentures must be removed for cleaning. Implant-supported dentures can remain in the mouth and cleaned with brushing and flossing.
- Dentures cover the mouth roof. This can feel uncomfortable and may interfere with taste and other oral functions. Implant-supported dentures do not cover the roof, providing a more natural feel.
- Dentures can loosen when eating or speaking. Implant-supported dentures are secured in place and will not slip or loosen during these activities.
- Dentures impose more limitations on chewing and diet. Because dentures are not as stable, they can prevent you from chewing normally and eating food that you like or need to stay healthy. Implant-supported dentures allow normal chewing power due to their stability.
- Dentures may produce clicking sounds when speaking or eating. Implant-supported dentures do not produce clicking sounds.
- Dentures do not keep the jawbone stimulated to prevent bone loss. Jawbone loss can inhibit your chewing power and make you look older. Implant posts keep the jawbone stimulated and prevent the bone from resorbing.
- Wearing dentures can cause accelerated bone loss and subsequent facial collapse. tooth roots, the jawbone will start to shrink, and dentures can accelerate this shrinkage by wearing on the bone. This can lead to your lower face wrinkling, sagging and thinning. Implant posts can keep your face looking plumper and more youthful.
Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
A dental implant more closely resembles a natural tooth, making it a more ideal replacement option than a dental bridge.
A dental bridge hinges onto the teeth next to the gap left by the missing tooth. It can replace one or two missing teeth in a row. A bridge can have a very natural appearance when complete, but because it must alter the natural teeth needed to support it, it does not last as long as a dental implant. This may result in you spending more money later to replace the bridge again. A dental implant can last a lifetime and save you more money in the long run.
Our dentists will collaborate with local oral surgeons for implant placement and offer dental implant restorations to cap your new implant. If you are interested in restoring your smile, we invite you to give us a call and set up an appointment with our dentists!