The Advantages of Phoenix AZ Dental Implants

Dentistry has come a long way since the days that patients visited the barber or blacksmith when they had a toothache. Today, when you are missing teeth, a variety of options is available to restore your smile, including fixed bridges, removable appliances, and dental implants. Dr. Justin Frost offers all of these services, and will discuss the various options with you and help you choose the method that is best for you.

Dental implants have become the most popular option, with dentists and patients alike, for the replacement of missing teeth. They have been in use for many decades, and have a phenomenal success rate of over 95 percent. They give patients a way to replace their teeth that looks and feels like natural teeth.

The titanium implant is essentially an artificial tooth root, used to support a replacement tooth. The doctor surgically places the implant into the jawbone, and after a period of healing, an abutment (connector) is fastened to the implant. Either a dental crown or bridge can be secured to the abutment, effectively replacing the missing tooth. Additionally, implants can be used to create a stable, secure base for a denture.

Implants may be preferred to dental bridges for several reasons. Crowns must be placed on the adjacent teeth to anchor a fixed bridge, which would require alteration of those teeth. When the anchor teeth are healthy and free of decay, many patients prefer to leave them in their natural state. Implants can fill the gap left by missing teeth while leaving the neighboring teeth unaltered.

Implant supported dentures have several advantages over traditional dentures. Conventional dentures rest on top of the gums and are secured by suction and sometimes, denture adhesive. This isn’t a foolproof system, and the dentures can wobble, slip around when you are speaking, and make it difficult – if not impossible to eat certain foods. Additionally, bone shrinks and changes when teeth are missing and dentures can exacerbate this problem. When implants are placed, even when it is just a few to support a denture, they can stimulate the bone and minimize bone loss.

If you are missing teeth, implants may be an excellent choice to restore your smile. Dr. Justin Frost and his accomplished team at Biltmore Dental Center have been making Phoenix smile beautifully for decades, call 602-704-0659 and schedule an appointment to learn which option to create that dream smile would be best for you.