Dental implants are best suited to replace missing teeth in a patient’s mouth, restoring proper function to the mouth and completeness to one’s smile. Dental implants act as a more permanent solution for missing teeth, when compared to procedures such as bridges, crowns or dentures. Whereas these procedures often require reshaping of adjoining teeth in order to accommodate the crown, for example, dental implants are simply fitted in place in the mouth, and then fuse themselves to the bone and gum tissue.
Dental implants are surgically anchored below one’s gums. The artificial teeth are thereby strengthened, as bone below the gum line, and gum tissue surrounding the area, both grow in around the implant. This fusion of one’s organic, natural mouth tissue and bone and the artificial implant creates added stability to the new tooth, which is often far superior to dentures or crowns. Due to this fusion, patients are required to have healthy gum tissue and strong bones.
Austin dental implants expert Dr. Mark Sweeney places restorations that look and function like one’s natural, original teeth, all the while allowing for permanent replacement of whatever teeth are missing. The implants typically have tooth roots as part of their forms, so they function like whole teeth, and fuse with the bone in much the same manner as the original teeth. The bone beneath missing teeth is often in a state of deterioration, which can potentially dramatically alter one’s natural facial appearance, and increase wrinkles. Dental implants, with their root element, can restore this aspect of tooth loss, making them an extremely efficient and thorough solution. Contact our Austin cosmetic dentistry practice for more information.