More Than Looks
Nearly 75 percent of Americans will lose at least one adult tooth by the time they are 55. No big deal, right? Actually, it is a big deal. It is a commonly held myth that losing a tooth is only a cosmetic issue. But while missing a tooth indeed affects your smile, it also negatively affects your oral and overall health. Dr. Kevin Pollock is helping restore patients’ smiles and keep them healthy through single-tooth dental implants.
It’s Not Just About Your Smile
Our teeth don’t just help us eat or speak, and they aren’t just there to help make our smiles look great. Our teeth play a crucial role in our health, too. The roots of our teeth go deep into the jaw and skull to stimulate bone tissue to regenerate. When bone tissue regenerates, this keeps the jawbone healthy and strong.
If you’re missing a tooth – even just one – the bone does not get stimulated and gets weaker over time. If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’ve also got a higher risk of developing facial deformities, bite problems and tooth decay.
But, there’s a way to help reduce that risk: dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a way to help replace missing teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent solution designed to last you the rest of your natural life in most cases.
During the dental implant procedure, a titanium post is surgically implanted into your jaw. Then, the post osseointegrates into your bone, making it stable for the crown – or tooth – portion of the implant to be screwed on. Crowns are custom made for you and can be designed to match your other teeth.
As part of your implant process, we will go over your medical history and examine the health of your mouth and gums to make sure you are a good candidate for a single-tooth implant.
Life After Implant
After your implant is placed, you should expect your implant to look, feel and function like your natural teeth. You can care for your implant just like your natural teeth, too. This means brushing them (yes, plaque can build up on dental implants) and flossing around them, too.
The best part is knowing that your smile is complete – giving you back confidence and protecting your oral health. If you are missing a tooth, let’s talk about replacing it with a single-tooth dental implant. Call Dr. Pollock today at (469)264-8921 to schedule a consultation to learn more.
