When they’re healthy, your healthier too. A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance that they will wear out prematurely, or be damaged or lost. You may also experience headaches and/or jaw pain.
Who would want their appearance and health to deteriorate? That’s the natural consequence of missing teeth – the jaw literally melts away. Generally, people will lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes.
The great news? Implants act just like your natural teeth. They safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance. Your dentist and the implant surgeon will provide you with options so that you can make the most informed decision concerning tooth replacement.
A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. For support, it is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space. The protective outer layer of those teeth is usually removed or ground down prior to attaching the bridge.
Dental Implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants support individual replacement teeth and secure specialized dentures in place. Unlike bridges, dental implants can last a lifetime. Implant-supported replacement teeth can be attractive, stable, and comfortable for almost any patient.
If you are a current patient with a post-operative concern, please call our After-Hours Line at (828) 315-3544. A doctor is on-call and ready to assist you.
For emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.