There is no time like the present to replace missing teeth and no prosthetic, quite like dental implants!
Few services available at The Bell Dental Group and other dentist’s offices near and far removed from our slice of the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia, have quite the power that is wielded by the dental implant process. The restorations designed and secured by our veteran dentist, Dr. Alonzo Bell, replace missing or failing teeth. In doing so, dental implant-supported crowns, bridges, or dentures:
- Help patients to regain a complete smile, boosting their self-esteem
- Support proper speech patterns and clear pronunciation
- Aid in sustaining a nutritious and varied diet and healthy digestion
- Prevent neighboring teeth from shifting toward the spaces left by extracted teeth
- Prevent bone loss that occurs after teeth are lost
- Stop the progression of devastating bone loss
- Help to retain facial structure and a youthful appearance
We attribute the power of dental implants to their design. Conventional dental bridges and removable dentures only replace the parts of the teeth that are visible in the smile: the white crown and, in the case of dentures, the pinkish-red gums that surround the teeth. Implant systems for tooth replacement are different; they replace the crowns and the roots of the teeth. We may, in fact, refer to implants as “artificial tooth roots.” These small posts are made from biocompatible, lightweight, yet incredibly strong medical-grade titanium. This material has long been used in other types of implants, from hip to knee joint replacement. Due to its unique properties, titanium naturally fuses or osseointegrates to the bone or tissues that surround it once introduced to the body.
So, when our surgical partner precisely positions the implant, it becomes a part of the jaw. Dr. Bell can then top the implant and attach it to the prostheses, be it a single crown, a bridge, or a partial or complete denture. Once connected, these prosthetics are “rooted” in the jawbone by the implants. Natural form leads to natural, healthy, and sustained function and comfort.
As compared to traditional removable dentures, for instance, patients with implant-retained dentures or “overdentures” appreciate the stability they get from this modern option. These dentures do not shift around in the mouth. They don’t rub up against the insides of the cheeks. Sores and other complaints associated with “fit” are eliminated. Furthermore, this approach to tooth replacement is hassle-free. You do not need to worry about ongoing adjustments to your dentures or applying special products to help hold the denture in place.
The force and energy that are generated from day-to-day behaviors like mashing food are transferred from the prosthetic tooth all the way through the implant to the jawbone. This process helps to keep the bone in the jaw dense and strong. Since the structural support of the face is maintained, your denture continues to fit as well as the day it was placed. All dental implant patients, even those who only need to replace one or a few teeth, benefit from this important and distinctive feature of implant-supported teeth. The tooth is restored along with the bone. We can both halt the devastating effects of bone loss as well as prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Holding on to aching teeth? Embarrassed by gaps in your smile? Call us! The Bell Dental Group may be reached at (703) 783-4557. Do not delay reaching out to our team in Alexandria, VA. We may be able to “save” your aching tooth or help you avoid the myriad of ill consequences of tooth and bone loss.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium roots, that are replaced with in the jawbone to resemble a tooth or group of teeth. A screw is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prosthesis including crowns, dentures, and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking, no one will know you had surgery. There’s approximately a 95% success rate for all implants. With modern advances in dentistry, some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.
