Approximately seven percent of people in America have lost at least one tooth by the time they turn 17. This can include wisdom teeth. That percentage soars to 69% for people between 35 and 44. The average American loses 12 permanent teeth by the time they reach 50, and 26% of seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 are completely edentulous. People lose their teeth for a number of reasons, but tooth extraction is usually due to either excessive decay or ignored or untreated periodontal disease. Dentures are often chosen to replace original teeth, but those can be uncomfortable and problematic. Fortunately, your Midtown Manhattan Dentist can correct your tooth loss issues with dental implants. But why should you consider dental implants to replace missing teeth? 

Dental Implants Look and Feel Natural
Dental implants contain two components: a titanium root and a prosthetic crown. Like basic crowns, when performed correctly by a competent dentist, dental implants look identical to your healthy natural teeth. Once the abutment is accepted and the crown is finally in place, your dental implants will look, feel, and perform daily life needs as easily and efficiently as your original chompers did on their best days. 

Dental Implants Are a Permanent Solution
Dental materials are stronger than ever, and many cosmetic and restorative procedures are strong enough to handle life demands for quite a while before needing to be repaired or replaced. Dental implants top all of those procedures in durability and life resistance. On average, dental implants can easily last 15-25 years or longer. In fact, one patient had theirs for 40 years without a single problem. Depending on the age the patient is when receiving the procedure, dental implants can be a permanent lifelong solution. 

Dental Implants Resist Decay
Unlike natural teeth, dental implants usually resist decay. The titanium abutment is the primary cause of that since titanium not only doesn’t corrode, but it also discourages bacteria formation around the implants. Decay can still form around the gums, crowns, or surrounding teeth if oral and dental care are lacking after the procedure. But if you maintain the implants correctly, they should continue to resist decay and look beautiful for years to come. 

Dental Implants Can Save Your Remaining Teeth
Dental implants can only be offered to patients with strong jawbones as the abutment acts as an anchor. Once dental osseointegration is completed, dental implants help maintain and strengthen bone density. Unlike bridges that require two existing teeth to anchor the device, dental implants can stand alone. Therefore, they don’t compromise or weaken existing and surrounding teeth. That helps ensure your remaining teeth have a fighting chance.

Dental Implants Boost Confidence and Improve Life
Dental implants won’t slip, shift, or suddenly adjust in the mouth. Because they’re thoroughly anchored, they won’t loosen or pop out while eating popcorn or at a family barbecue. Dental implants look, feel, and perform just like your natural teeth did at their strongest moments. So you can smile, chatter away, and eat your favorite foods without worrying about embarrassing or painful issues popping up. Give your Midtown Manhattan Dentist a call when you’re ready to discuss if dental implants are right for you.

As the New Year approaches, most Americans at least dream of having a better year than the previous one and personal improvements are major resolutions for those who set them. A new smile makeover can help anyone reach their goals in record time, depending on the issues involved. But when edentulism is the culprit, the options are somewhat limited. Approximately 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and over 36 million are completely toothless. Over 90% of those missing teeth rely on dentures, and while that’s a workable option it’s not always the best solution due to a number of factors including comfort, care, and confidence concerns. Dental implants can be an easy replacement solution to achieve the new smile of your dreams during the coming year. But why should you consider dental implants?

Dental Implants Help Protect Teeth and Encourage Bone Health
Most solutions for tooth loss are aesthetic options that are affixed above the gumline. While that works for general life purposes, at least until they need to be replaced or adjusted, it does little to nothing to help repair the bone loss due to the original loss. Dental implants are the only solution that helps improve bone health due to their root-like structure. As long as the bone health is decent heading into the procedure, a single implant or mouthful can be performed. They function just like natural teeth so attachments to surrounding teeth aren’t necessary. And since the materials resist bacteria, they actually help protect healthy teeth.

Dental Implants Are Permanent Replacements
Whether you’re born without a tooth or lose one during life, tooth loss can cause all sorts of problems. Dentures work in a pinch and are far better than nothing, but they require a lot of upkeep and generally need replacing or adjustments over time. That’s not the case with dental implants. This two-part invasive procedure involves drilling a root into the mandible to permanently replace the missing tooth and re-anchor the jawline. A prosthetic tooth is then applied, and the result is a fully functional replacement that won’t fall out or need to be removed for any reason.

Dental Implants Are Durable
The last thing anyone wants is to have issues with their dental treatments, especially when it can take years to muster up the necessary courage to get the work done in the first place. Bridges and dentures are created to last a few years or up to a decade when taken care of properly but eventually, they will need repairs or replaced. Dental implants, however, are made to last several decades and when taken care of correctly can even last a lifetime.

Dental Implants Can Help Add Life to Your Years
Dental implants are surgically implanted, so they’re completely secure and fully functional once the healing process is completed. So unlike dentures that often flap around or need adhesive to stay in place that’s not an issue here. Dental implants allow you to eat what you want without worries, improve breathing concerns, and help confidence levels soar. Caring for implants is as easy as caring for your own teeth. Simply brush and floss like always and visit your New York City Cosmetic Dentist for checkups and annual cleanings. Give us a call when you’re ready to see if dental implants are the right solution for a new you. 

 Adult tooth loss, or endentulism, is a serious condition that can cause far more problems than simply a loss of confidence. Approximately 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth while over 36 million Americans are completely endentulous. And those numbers are only expected to grow. Left untreated, toothlessness can lead to diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even oral cancer. While many diseases can be easily treated, there’s only a 50% survival rate past five years of diagnosis once oral cancer sets in. Loss of teeth is also almost always a major sign of advanced gum disease, a serious condition that affects over 50% of American adults. Fortunately, your Johns Creek dentist can restore your smile with dental implants. But what are the benefits of going that route in your tooth loss treatment?

Dental Implants Improve Bone and Facial Structure
Natural teeth act as anchors to the face. They literally grow out of the mandible, or lower jawbone. The rest of the face forms around the teeth and bone structure. So when even a single tooth dislodges, the mandible weakens, and the face follows. Concave or sunken cheeks and deep wrinkles around the lips, eyes, and forehead may be age-related. But when premature aging is an issue, it’s often due to tooth loss. Dental implants replace natural teeth from the root to the cap. So they re-anchor the jawline and the face conforms once more around them. Wrinkles and premature aging almost instantly fade away.

Dental Implants Improve the Abilities to Eat and Breathe
The symptoms of gum disease can come on quickly and lead to serious consequences such as sudden tooth weakness and loss. Each missing tooth further compromises the strength of the jawline. As the jawline weakens and the facial features fall inward, sinuses tend to sink. Once that occurs, breathing, vision, and hearing are often affected. The weakened jawline and loss of teeth also make eating a real challenge. Finding yourself suddenly unable to eat your favorite food because of pain and lack of chew strength can make an important part of life lose its luster. Dentures can help, but they’re removable in most cases and can easily slip. Dental implants provide a permanent replacement option to your natural teeth, so life can continue without issue.

Dental Implants Look and Feel Natural
Dental implants consist of two parts: an orthodontic anchor and a porcelain or composite prothetic. The anchor is drilled directly into the jawbone to act just as the missing tooth once did. The prosthetic is then applied to resemble and perform like the original tooth. Chewing, breathing, and smiling quickly become organic once more. And since they’re customized to each patient’s personal needs, they always look and feel completely natural once the procedure is completed and the mouth is fully healed.

Dental Implants Are Strong and Durable
Dental implants are carefully designed, constructed, and fitted to each patient’s needs to ensure years worth of durable functionality and enjoyment. Meant to function just like real teeth, implants are strong enough to handle all of life’s needs including eating, socializing, and even playing sports without concerns of slipping or breakage. Some studies report dental implants of having up to a 98% success rate. And when taken care of correctly, implants can last 25 years or longer. When you’re ready to restore your natural smile permanently, contact your Johns Creek dentist to see if dental implants are right for you.

 

 

 

Edentulism is a nationwide concern with almost 180 million Americans missing at least one tooth and 40 million missing an entire mouthful. As we age, the problem intensifies. Decay is the primary culprit of shifting, loose, and eventually dislodged teeth, and it often begins with early signs of gum disease. Inflamed, tender, and bleeding gums are serious warning signs of advancing periodontal disease… from which approximately half of Americans suffer. Once the advanced symptoms set in, simple home oral health care isn’t enough to reverse the problem. Ignored or avoided too long and avulsion is bound to occur. Fortunately, your Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist has a few effective solutions for missing teeth.

 Porcelain Fixed Dental Bridge
A missing tooth leaves a gap in the mouth that not only results in severe confidence issues and the refusal to smile. It also provides the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and decay. While the surrounding teeth may be strong at first, ignore the missing tooth long enough and bacteria will begin eating away at the unprotected teeth as well. Damaged teeth often are repaired with porcelain crowns, but once a tooth completely falls out a porcelain bridge is needed. In this procedure, two crowns fit over the surrounding teeth on either end of the gap and the bridge itself fits directly into the gap. Thus, all spaces are secured and normal tooth functionality returns. With proper dental care and professional check-ups, a bridge can last well over a decade.

Dentures
Dental procedures have pretty much stayed the same over the years, but dental materials constantly evolve and improve. So modern dentures aren’t the same as the fake-looking gum-smacking variety your great-grandparents may have worn. Depending on the amount of tooth loss, your Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist may recommend full or partial dentures. Full dentures replace the entire top or bottom row of teeth while partials are created to fit into your mouth like a puzzle piece or Lego block, effectively replacing the gaps left by a few missing teeth. The porcelain caps within dentures are attached to a base resembling your natural gum. Color compatible dental-strength adhesive then holds the partial or full denture in place to your natural gum or even snaps onto metal clasps so slippage and discomfort are things of the past. Like many things in life, there is a learning curve for wearing dentures comfortably. But it’s a short curve for most patients.

Dental Implants
The concept of removable or non-permanent tooth replacement structures doesn’t appeal to everyone. If you’re among that crowd, dental implants may be a better option for your needs. Unlike other tooth replacement options that attach to surrounding teeth or are glued into the mouth, dental implants are surgically implanted to permanently replace the missing teeth. As such, all functionality is restored, and that often results in reverse aging as the facial structure also returns. Due to the surgical aspect, dental implants are an invasive procedure and require several appointments to complete. Three phases of the procedure include abutment implantation, osseointegration (bone acceptance and healing), and finally, placement of the porcelain crowns. Regardless of your needs or budget, Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist has a replacement solution that can fit your needs.