Only a few decades ago, there were only limited options available for replacing a lost or damaged tooth. Bridges and dentures are the long-established methods for restoring your smile, but they require a lot of maintenance and frequent replacements without offering the same functionality as natural teeth. Now, dentists frequently perform dental implant procedures.
Dental implants are the modern solution for tooth loss that preserves your oral health while feeling and functioning just like natural teeth. Lanier Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is a leading implant and cosmetic dentistry in Buford, GA that has many combined years of experience helping their patients restore their smile and confidence with dental implants.
1. Implants last a lifetime
Because they are surgically embedded in the jawbone, dental implants can last for the rest of your life with proper care. The crown — the false tooth attached to the implant — may need to be replaced every 10-15 years due to normal wear and tear, but the implant screw that has been inserted into the jaw will last decades, possibly a lifetime with proper care. You will need to visit your dentist for regular check-ups to make sure your implant is still healthy and functioning correctly.
2. Dental implants keep your jawbone healthy
Although missing teeth may seem to only be a concern with regards to your appearance or the ability to chew, it can actually be more serious than that. Having a gap in your teeth from a missing tooth or teeth can actually cause the jawbone to recede. This can cause your bite to become unstable and the shape of your face to change.
Dental implants replace the missing teeth down to the roots, bonding with the jawbone and helping it stay healthy. This prevents regression, preserving the health and structure of your jawbone.
3. Implants protect healthy teeth
In addition to keeping the jawbone healthy, dental implants help the teeth surrounding the missing tooth. Dental bridges, a popular, older method of tooth replacement, require removing the enamel of the surrounding teeth in order to attach crowns to serve as anchors for the bridge. Implants are placed directly into the jawbone where the missing tooth once lived and do not need to be anchored in place by other teeth.
4. Implants feel and function like natural teeth
With dental implants you can eat and brush your teeth just as you would with your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options such as bridges and removable dentures require specialized cleaning and can be less comfortable than implants. Unlike dentures, dental implants never need to be removed to be cleaned and can be cleaned with a toothbrush and floss. They feel so natural, you may even forget you have them eventually.
Dental Implants in Buford, GA
Implants are a long-term investment in your oral health. Lanier Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, the practice of Dr. Alla Brown and Amanda Newberry, in Buford, is focused on the long term maintenance of a comfortable, functional smile that provides confidence and the best possible quality of life. Schedule your comprehensive consultation online or call (678) 359-4707 to start restoring your smile and confidence today.