Losing one or more of your teeth means gaps in your smile. With these gaps come poor oral health and often, embarrassment with the appearance of your smile. To help return smiles in El Paso, TX, to optimal health and beauty, we may replace your lost teeth with secure and natural-looking dental implants. What should our patients expect from the implant placement process?
The Risks Associated with Tooth Loss
When we lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth may begin to drift from position, causing misalignment. With uneven teeth comes an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as cleaning crooked and crowded teeth with a toothbrush and floss is difficult. The body will also notice the missing tooth root and stop the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone. Without these nutrients, the bone tissue begins to break down, causing further tooth loss and eventually, an aged appearance. Missing teeth also make eating difficult, cause problems speaking clearly, and could also place pressure on your jaw joints and bite balance, increasing the risk of TMJ disorder and teeth grinding (bruxism).
The Implant Process
We begin by assessing your candidacy and making sure you have enough jaw bone tissue to support the new tooth root. If not, we may first need to discuss bone grafting. Next, we plan the placement and an oral surgeon will insert the dental implant into the jawbone. Osseointegration will then take place, bonding the jawbone and the biocompatible titanium implant together and securing it like a natural tooth root. After the area heals, which takes about three to four months, we will add an abutment that holds a custom-made restoration in place, completing your new tooth. We can complete the entire process in-house and help you enjoy a whole smile once more, as implant dentistry can address a single lost tooth or secure a fixed denture!
Preserving Your New Teeth (and Your Natural Ones)
Your dental implant will act as a new tooth root, which means proper care can help them last for decades. However, they are still susceptible to gum disease, which could cause them to become lost. To help them last, you should care for them daily by brushing your teeth when you get up in the morning and again before bed, cleaning them for two minutes. You should also floss before going to sleep as well. Make time to see us every six months to we can perform a checkup and keep an eye on your new tooth and smile health. We will also clean your teeth, removing plaque buildup to keep gum disease at bay!
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO CAN PROVIDE TOOTH LOSS SOLUTIONS
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team wants to return your smile to full function and beauty by addressing your missing teeth. If you have questions about implant dentistry, then please call our East El Paso location on N. Zaragoza Road at 915-849-9000!