Dental implants may seem like a recent innovation, but dentists have actually used them for over 40 years with a 95% success rate. In that time, over three million people have had their lives transformed by dental implants, and that number is expected to grow by 500,000 per year!
What You Need to Know about Dental Implants
There are still lots of misconceptions about what implants are and how they are used. Since they are the gold standard for tooth replacement, it’s safe to say that at some point you might consider implants for yourself. If you do, there are some things you should know:
- An implant is a small titanium post that we place surgically in your jaw. As the post heals and integrates with surrounding bone and tissue, it eventually becomes a permanent part of your dental structure.
- Dental implants act as a replacement root. Tooth roots stimulate the growth of healthy bone and tissue in the jaw. When a tooth is lost, the absence of the root leads to the gradual breakdown of the bone in your jaw. An implant, however, becomes a permanent part of your tooth and stops deterioration.
- Many people wonder about the presence of a foreign substance being placed in their mouth. But there’s no need to worry – dental implants are made of titanium, the same biocompatible material that has been used safely for decades in joint replacements.
- A dental implant can last a lifetime because it essentially becomes a permanent part of your anatomy. However, you are always at risk for gum disease if you do not follow good preventive practices like brushing and flossing. A common cause of implant failure is gum disease, which attacks the gums and supporting bone, threatening the stability of the implant.
Please Call to Learn More
If you are interested in finding out more about dental implants, please call our Gloss Dental to arrange a convenient consultation. We will explain all your options, including dental implants, and help you make a choice with which you are comfortable.