Dayton area’s top restorative and cosmetic dental fix

In determining how insurance will respond, and for their own edification, patients often ask, “Is a dental implant restorative dentistry or cosmetic dentistry?” The answer is, “yes!” on both counts. To understand how that can be true, let’s look a little more closely at what constitutes a dental implant and why implants are used.

The term “dental implant” may sound new and a bit scary, but the procedure is actually quite straightforward. An oral surgeon or dentist specially trained in this technique places a very small screw, usually made of titanium metal, into the jawbone. The procedure is brief and the incision is tiny. The soft tissues heal quickly, and over the span of several months the jawbone fuses solidly around the implant. Then, an abutment (post) is inserted into the implant.

The next step depends on the implant’s intended purpose:

• As a stand-alone replacement for a single missing tooth. This is the most common usage for a dental implant. Your dentist will finish the implant with a lovely, natural looking porcelain crown. It feels like a natural tooth, functions in the same way for chewing and speaking, and fills your smile in beautifully. Therefore, in this case the implant is both restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
• To replace several or all teeth. If you’ve suffered the loss of several teeth or a whole arch from periodontal disease or trauma, dental implants can be a terrific long-term solution. Handled in the same manner as a single tooth replacement, they reinstate tooth functionality and appearance in situations too extensive for a traditional crown and bridge unit. Again, a restorative and cosmetic application.
• To hold a partial or full denture in place. If you wear a conventional partial or full denture, you know the associated problems. Since the floating denture is held in place only by gravity, natural suction, or gooey paste, you avoid many of the foods you love. They slip and pop out unexpectedly, impacting your confidence in smiling and speaking clearly. Just a few dental implants can hold that denture securely, dramatically improving comfort and function.

Dental implants are the best substitute available today for missing teeth. They require no special care – just your usual good oral hygiene including brushing after meals, flossing before bedtime, and maintaining regular professional examinations/cleanings. With that care, you may expect a dental implant to last many, many years. Best of all (especially for patients who have lost multiple teeth), dental implants stimulate natural bone density. This helps fight the bone loss that leads to further dental problems and a sunken facial appearance.

If you are considering dental implants in Dayton, look no further. Call Dr. Daniel Cobb at Alex Bell Dental for more information on how implants can be the answer to your restorative and cosmetic needs.