If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, then tooth replacement is essential for not only your oral health, but your general health, too. Obviously, there is the appearance of your smile to consider, but did you know that just one missing tooth could increase your risk of gum disease as well as tooth decay? One of the best tooth replacement options available today is a dental implant. With dental implants, Castle Rock dentist and Dr. Kennington can replace missing teeth and prevent or even reverse the negative consequences to your smile and your health.
What are Dental Implants?
In simple terms, a dental implant is a prosthetic that takes the place of a missing tooth. However, unlike crown and bridge, a partial or a full denture that merely replace the visible portion of a tooth (the crown), dental implants replace the root as well.
During minor oral surgery, Dr. Kennington, your experienced implant dentist in Castle Rock, strategically positions the implant in the bone underneath your gum tissue and then carefully sutures the site. You’ll need a few months to fully heal. During this time, the implant and surrounding bone tissue fuse so that the implant becomes firmly embedded. When the implant is secure, you’ll return to our office where Dr. Kennington will attach your tooth restoration—a porcelain crown for a single missing tooth or a partial or implant-retained denture if you are missing several teeth. The result is a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions nearly like one of your natural teeth.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are more than just what they appear to be—an attractive false tooth. They can help you avoid a number of other oral health problems including tooth decay and gum disease. Did you know, for example, that when a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth will likely move to take up the space? As a result, the alignment of your teeth may alter. This misalignment can lead to the painful symptoms of TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder. You may not consciously realize what is happening, but your jaw could begin to move unnaturally in an attempt to force teeth to align.
Another distinct advantage of dental implants is the symbiotic relationship between the embedded post and your jawbone. While the bone firmly holds the implant in place, the implant stimulates new bone growth so you can avoid bone loss that can often change the appearance of your face, making you looking sunken and older.
Call Your Implant Dentist in Castle Rock Today
If you would like more information about how dental implants can replace missing teeth and help you enjoy optimal oral health, contact Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kennington.