Smile gaps cause many problems. In fact, just one missing tooth starts the deterioration of both hard and soft tissues. What should you do about smile gaps? See Dr. Shanean Michelle Anderson, your dentist at Smile Sculptors of Wake Forest. She restores many smiles for patients in the Wake Forest, NC, area.
We all need roots
They anchor our teeth into the alveolar ridge of the jaw. Extract a tooth, and you not only lose the ability to bite and chew, but you lose a substantial amount of bone structure. A natural tooth root actually exercises your jaw. Without it, your surrounding teeth move, your speech changes, and even your digestion loses efficiency.
Of course, conventional partials, full dentures, and bridges have been used for years to restore smiles. In many cases, they are viable options, but when possible, Dr. Anderson, your dentist in Wake Forest, NC, recommends replacement with titanium dental implants.
Dental implants replace tooth roots with a biocompatible titanium. Screw-like in shape, implants bond with the bone in the jaw, developing strength comparable to their natural counterparts. This bonding mechanism is osseointegration, and it is the distinguishing factor in modern tooth replacement.
Osseointegration takes several months. Then, your dentist attaches a post and crown to complete your new tooth. Several implants anchor bridges and dentures if that is your oral health need.
Could dental implants help you?
There are a few qualifying factors. Dr. Anderson will do a complete oral exam, including special three-dimensional X-rays at Smile Sculptors of Wake Forest. You need sufficient bone in your jaw to accept your implants. Possible disqualifying factors include:
- Tobacco usage (While smokers can receive dental implants, they have greater chances of implant failure.)
- Current or previous chemotherapy or radiation for cancer
- Use of blood thinners
Overall, you should be in good health and have a strong immune system to encourage implant success and long-term retention, says the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID).
Find out more
At Smile Sculptors of Wake Forest, Dr. Shanean Michelle Anderson performs the entire dental implant treatment--from evaluation to surgery to follow-up. See what she can do for your smile. Phone our Wake Forest, NC, office for a detailed consultation with this experienced dentist. Call (919) 825-1795.