Do Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth?
35 million Americans have all of their teeth missing. 178 million have at least one tooth missing. This is an astonishing amount of people who need a way to restore esthetics and function to their smile. What is the best treatment option? What option feels, looks, and behaves like natural teeth. The answer is clear, dental implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants consist of three parts:
- Implant: This is a man-made “false” root. It is usually composed of titanium. It is gently placed into the bone where the tooth is missing. After three months, the jaw bone fuses to the implant in a very strong fashion. This is called osseous integration. Once this process is completed the implant (false root) is the strongest root in your mouth. The implant is even stronger than natural teeth
- Abutment: This is the second stage of the restoration which is screwed into the implant, which is lying in the jaw bone below the gum. Once the abutment is screwed in, it acts as a post jutting above the gum. The abutment will support the beautiful porcelain crown, which is the final stage of the restoration.
- Porcelain Crown: The porcelain crown fits over the abutment. Our doctors carefully design the shape, contour, color, fit and occlusal interdigitation to make the crown harmonious with all of your other teeth. The crown looks and feels exactly like a natural tooth.
Benefits of Implants
- Implants are convenient and long-lasting.
- Implants are permanently fixed to your jaw bone, no dental adhesive is needed.
- They look, feel, and function like natural teeth. You can eat whatever you want.
- Oral hygiene is not compromised. Brushing with a hand brush or electric brush is identical to brushing natural teeth. You are also able to floss between implant crowns and natural teeth.
- They prevent bone deterioration and subsequent bone loss.
- Implants leave surrounding natural teeth unaltered. In the past before implants, a fixed bridge had to have been made to replace a missing tooth. The teeth in front and behind the missing space had to be ground down to hold the bridge. Grinding healthy teeth in the world of implants seems barbaric.
- Implants allow you to eat normally: Any food that is healthy for natural teeth will be fine for implants.
- Implants have a 98% success rate.
- Implants last a lifetime when taken care of properly.
- They can withstand more pressure than natural teeth: Implants are fused to the jaw bone itself.
- Implants are anchored in the jaw bone and not in the hollow roots of root canal teeth, thus their incredible longevity.
What’s Special about Implants?
- Implants are the only tooth replacement option that incorporates an artificial root. Thus they function the most like natural teeth compared to the following modalities:
- Full upper/lower removable denture
- Partial upper/lower removable bridge
- Fixed bridge
Dental Implants In New York City
Dental Implants are the closest you can get to restoring healthy, natural teeth. Implants are a permanent solution to your missing teeth. They look, feel, and function just like the real ones. We at 209 NYC Dental are a multispeciality dental practice. We specialize in the placement and restoration of implants. We specialize in making you smile. Call us today at 212-355-2290.