| As you grow older, it’s all too common to lose | | | | the implant to heal for a few weeks, during which |
| teeth. Whether it’s only a few teeth or all of | | | | time it bonds with the bone. After this healing |
| your teeth, it’s an inconvenient situation to deal | | | | process is complete, your dentist places permanent |
| with. | | | | replacements on the implants. |
| While many people find dentures a suitable | | | | One common side effect of long-term denture use is |
| alternative, they have many disadvantages. Dentures | | | | bone loss in the jaw. The roots of your natural teeth |
| must be cleaned on a regular basis, which can be | | | | stimulate your jawbones while you chew. Dentures |
| inconvenient. They also tend to move in the mouth, | | | | sit on top of the gums and thus don’t stimulate |
| causing embarrassing situations, discomfort and even | | | | the bone. Implants, by contrast, are set into the |
| pain. Long-term denture wearers can also suffer bone | | | | bone, and eventually bond with it. Because of this |
| loss in the jawbones. This happens because dentures | | | | bonding, bone growth is stimulated just as it would |
| don’t stimulate bone growth during chewing and | | | | be with natural roots. |
| other everyday activities the way natural tooth roots | | | | If you’ve suffered from bone loss prior to |
| do. | | | | receiving dental implants, you might need to have |
| For these reasons, some people choose instead to | | | | bone grafts to replace the lost bone. Alternately, the |
| have dental implants. Dental implants present several | | | | implants can be placed to avoid the areas where the |
| advantages over traditional dentures, including: | | | | bone loss is most severe. |
| - Permanent tooth replacement | | | | Implants can support single replacement teeth, |
| - Healthy bone growth | | | | bridges, or full dentures. A consultation with a |
| - Natural look and feel of the replacement teeth | | | | qualified, experienced cosmetic dentist can help you |
| A dental implant consists of a titanium screw that is | | | | determine if implants are a good choice for you. |
| placed directly in the jawbone. You then must allow | | | | |