Dental implants are the most durable and effective way to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Based around a titanium screw, implants are inserted into the jawbone at the exact site the tooth once occupied. Your jawbone fuses with the implant, creating a bond that is equal to or almost as strong as your natural teeth.

Are dental implants the best way to treat tooth loss?

The simple answer is yes. Dental implants rely on the strength of the titanium screw and the ossification of the bone around the implant itself. Ossification is the hardening of bone tissue, doubling up on the all-important bond. If properly looked after, your dental implant can last decades or even a lifetime.

What happens if I leave a gap?

After tooth loss, your remaining teeth can shift into gaps over time, which means a missing tooth can undermine the structure of your mouth. Your jawbone needs to interact with your teeth or it can lose width, height, and density, decreasing the definition and resilience of the bone. Leaving a gap after tooth loss can do far more than affect your appearance; at Crystal Dental Clinic in Macclesfield, we strongly recommend filling the gap with an implant to avoid deterioration of the jaw.

Do dental implants damage your surrounding healthy teeth?

Anchoring a bridge to your teeth requires a degree of damage to the tooth enamel on either side of the gap. Over time this can become worse, requiring additional appointments at your dental practice. A dental implant, on the other hand, is directly connected to the jaw and has no negative impact on your surrounding teeth – yet another reason implants are the ultimate solution for a missing tooth.

Will dental implants in Macclesfield look like my natural teeth?

One of the main reasons people get a dental implant is to restore their smile and, with it, their confidence, which means the cosmetic appearance of the treatment is of paramount importance. Although other tooth-loss treatments such as crowns and bridges can look natural, dental implants are as close to genuine, individual teeth as possible, making them undetectable when you smile.

Are dental implants expensive?

Although the initial outlay for an implant is likely to be higher than for other tooth-loss treatments such as getting a bridge, their long-term value is hard to compete with. Other treatments are likely to need replacing, perhaps several times, or may result in a progression of dental interventions to treat continuing damage. A dental crown, for example, might need replacing with a bridge, which in turn may progress to partial dentures. If properly looked after, a dental implant is likely to outlast any other treatments.

Want to discuss your implant options further?

Contact our friendly team at Crystal Dental Clinic in Macclesfield today!