Missing teeth harm more than your self-esteem. While that's important, your oral health and function are even more so. At Suburban Family Dental in Des Plaines, IL dental implants mimic real teeth in every way: performance, appearance and maintenance of jaw bone integrity. Read here how Dr. Roman Dziubyk and Dr Lorelei Grise' place these tooth replacements and how they improve their patients' smiles.
When you lose teeth...
There are a number of difficult consequences:
- A smile gap
- Gum and bone deterioration at the extraction site
- Reduced bite height (the vertical dimension of your face when your teeth come together)
- Shifting of neighboring teeth toward the empty space (they weaken as they drift)
- Poorer chewing, biting and speaking
- Premature facial aging with substantial tooth loss
With all of these disappointing side effects, patients must consider the best tooth replacement options available to them. Fortunately, most healthy adults qualify for innovative dental implants which are stable, can last for decades and actually improve jaw bone size and strength. Plus, they realistically close smile gaps, giving patients the beautiful smiles they deserve.
How implants work
A simple oral exam, and X-rays tell your Des Plaines dentist if dental implants are right for you. Good oral health is a must as is a jawbone which is sufficiently dense to support the implant device.
Made of biocompatible titanium, the implant device inserts into a small hole created in the jaw. Dr. Dziubyk or Dr. Grise' then allow several weeks of healing time before covering the implant with a metal alloy extension post and customized porcelain crown.
How long does healing take? Actually, the sutured gums heal very quickly. However, osseointegration takes several weeks to months. What is osseointegration? It's the bonding process between the jaw and the implant.
With osseointegration, human bone wraps around titanium, having a natural affinity for it. The resulting bond is very strong and actually gets even stronger over time.
Interestingly, implants are very versatile. The dentist can place multiple implants to anchor multi-tooth bridges and partial or even full dentures. So, this modern technology gives both dentist and patient a wide range of tooth replacement possibilities.
Keeping your implants healthy
Caring for implants is as easy, and as important, as caring for natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Twice a day should do it, says the American Dental Association, but you also must floss around implant sites to keep them free of plaque, tartar and their associated bacteria.
Additionally, avoid tobacco in all forms. Smoking in particular burns gum tissue around implants and can deteriorate the jaw bone. An infection called peri-implantitis resembles gum disease and can cause implant failure.
Arrange your implant consultation
And, see about filling those smile gaps. At Suburban Family Dental, we love our patients to have their best smiles ever. So call today, won't you? (847) 640-0778.
