How Dental Implants in Syracuse Can Help Your Smile

Everything in this history museum doesn’t seem like it could be hundreds of years old. All of the tools, books, and vases have been preserved so well. You can still see the tiny imperfections in the artifacts caused by people using them in their everyday lives, lives that were so different from yours. They still look like they could be used today. You wish the same could be said for your teeth. Time has been unkind to them…those that are left anyway. Fortunately, you can help preserve your smile with dental implants in Syracuse.

How Teeth Change With Age

Your entire body changes as you age, and that includes your teeth. The mouth is one of the most active parts of your body, so as the years go by, it can experience a lot of wear and tear. Your enamel naturally breaks down because of years of chewing and drinking. Brushing and flossing can do a lot to hold back the hands of time, but nothing can completely stop the natural progression of your teeth. Gum disease also tends to become more common with age. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in patients 35 and older. The mouth gradually decreases the production of saliva over time as well, and this can help spur things such as tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Dental Implants: A long term solution

For those patients who are looking to completely restore severely decayed, or even missing teeth, dental implants are a safe, reliable way to do it. Many other procedures can help restore part of a tooth, but only dental implants restore both parts above and below the gum line. It is the most thorough way to restore your smile over the long term. Dental implants are composed of 3 basic parts:

• A titanium root
• A metal connector, or abutment
• A porcelain crown

The quality of the materials is what assures that dental implants can last such a long time. The titanium root helps to support the new tooth, as well as securely connect it to your jawbone. The crown is the portion that everyone can see. The high-quality ceramic material used is what can assure the tooth is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally strong. The two are connected with a metal abutment, which also serves to support the crown from the inside.

What Is It Like To Get A Dental Implant?

The process for getting dental implants starts with an examination from one of our doctors. They will determine if your jawbone is healthy enough to support the implants. Should that be the case, the procedure works as follows:

• You will be referred to a local oral surgeon who will implant the new titanium root into your gum line.
• 3-6 months will pass in order to allow you to heal, as well as assure the roots firmly bond to your jaw.
• The final visit is when one of the doctors will install your new crown.

The first procedure is surgical, so you will be put under anesthesia for the duration. The 3-6 month healing period allows your body to naturally establish a fresh blood-flow to your new root, which stimulates the growth of the surrounding soft tissue. Implants can serve to restore a single tooth, or help support a bridge or set of dentures.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

Dental implants have a 95% success rate if taken care of, which is why they are one of the best long term solutions for restoring teeth. Your teeth will change as time goes on, so it is highly likely you will need a tooth restored at some point. Dental implants are definitely something you should consider in the future when it comes to the preservation of your smile, even if you don’t need one right now. It always pays to plan ahead, plus it can make the process much easier. If you have any questions about dental implants, please give us a call.