Are you missing one or more teeth, or facing the loss of teeth in the near future due to damage or infection? Don’t worry! You have a lot of options to restore your smile to its former glory. You can choose between bridges, partial dentures, as well as various types of implants.

But which one is the best option for regaining your smile?

While there will always be factors based on individual cases, we at Barotz Dental, find that dental implants are very often the best and most cost-effective option for restoring teeth. They lack the drawbacks of other methods, while providing you replacement teeth that can last a lifetime!

How Do Dental Implants Work?

The key that makes dental implants work so well is that they are made of titanium. Titanium is a bio-compatible metal, meaning that your body doesn’t see it as a “foreign” object that should be attacked and rejected. Titanium dental implants simply become part of your mouth.
Implanting these replacement teeth is a three stage process:

1. First, a threaded titanium screw is inserted into the jawbone where the new, replacement tooth will be placed. This is a minimally-invasive procedure that requires very little cutting, and can be done with local anesthetic. There isn’t much discomfort afterwards.
2. After step one, there is a waiting period – usually a few months – for the bone and surrounding gums to heal. This ensures the screw is firmly implanted and will never come loose under normal
   conditions.
3. Once the healing is done, you return to your dentist to be fitted with a nub called an abutment on the protruding titanium, which is what the replacement tooth attaches to. Then a dental crown is connected to the abutment, completing the false tooth. It’s indistinguishable from your real teeth, and can be tinted to match the surrounding teeth if needed.

Given the waiting period, the dental implant process is not be as rapid as other options, but it provides numerous benefits.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

So what makes implants a superior option in most cases? There are plenty of reasons, including:

1. • Implants are a well-established technology with a very long track record. Overall, there is a success rate above 95% with very few possible complications.
   • When properly cared for, an implant can last a lifetime. Even if something happens to the crown itself, that doesn’t affect the underlying titanium support. If needed, a new crown can be attached quickly and easily with no additional surgery needed.
   • Other options, such as bridges, put additional stress on the surrounding teeth. This potentially weakens them and could lead to further tooth loss.
   • Because implants attach to the bone, they prevent the bone from weakening from disuse. People with dentures, or no replacement teeth at all, often see their jawbone begin to deteriorate. Implants prevent this.

Dr. Charles Barotz says, “The best part about implants is that for the first time, we can add strength back into the mouth when replacing teeth rather than weakening the remaining teeth surrounding the new implant. In addition, implants stop the loss of bone associated with long-term denture use.”
Unlike dentures, dental implants require no cleaning beyond your normal brushing-and-flossing routine. And with implants, there is no potential for the embarrassment of your false teeth being askew or popping out of your mouth.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Every patient’s needs are different, and here at Barotz Dental, we will work with you to determine if dental implants are the best solution for you. Please contact us today for a consultation on your options for tooth replacement or to learn more about any of our other dental services.