Lost One Or More Teeth? Advice From a New Teeth

Implants Surgeon, PART 2

This four-part article series provides advice for patients who need one or

more of their teeth replaced and are in the process of considering their

various options.

Welcome to the second installment of our four-part article series in which we

speak to an experienced dental implants surgeon in New Jersey about replacing

missing teeth. We ended off Part 1 talking about tooth-supported bridges and

how they compare to new teeth implants. We’ve only just begun picking the brain

of this dental specialist, so without further ado, let’s continue!

Just to sum up everything we’ve been discussing, would you say that you

recommend dental implants over tooth-supported bridges?

“If the patient is the right candidate for dental implants, then yes… I would say

that in most cases, dental implants are the preferred method for teeth

replacement because the crowns they support tend to look, feel and function

more like natural teeth than conventional bridges do.”

Okay, so now would be the perfect time for you to explain to us just what new

teeth implants are and how they work…

“Absolutely. Dental implants are like tiny screws that are made from medical

grade titanium metal,” explains the dental implants surgeon in New Jersey. “They

are surgically placed in the bone at the site of the missing tooth and they provide

fixed support for a replacement ceramic tooth crown or, if a patient is having

multiple teeth or even their entire dental arch replaced, a fixed bridge.”

So the dental implant itself is not actually the tooth

people will see when you smile?

“That is correct. A dental implant is supposed to sit

beneath the gum line, just like a natural tooth root. The

implant is what anchors the replacement tooth crown in

the mouth.”

I must be honest. The word “surgery” does make dental implants sound scary.

Does this tend to ward patients off having implants placed and choose

conventional bridges instead?

“Actually no. It’s not the concept of surgery that tends to deter patients because

we’ve just about perfected the art of painless procedures. Even if you come in to

have all of your teeth replaced, we can almost always do the entire procedure in a

single sitting and have you leave the dental implant facility in the evening with a

brand new set of teeth,” explains the New Jersey dental implants surgeon.

“The most prevalent reason patients opt for more convention teeth replacement

technologies, such as tooth-supported bridges, is because implants tend to be

pricey and dental insurance companies don’t offer any coverage for them.”

If, as you say, dental implants are the more sophisticated teeth replacement

technology on the market, why wouldn’t dental insurance companies offer

some kind of relief for patients who need new teeth implants?

“Your guess is as good as mine. Getting new teeth

implants is often still regarded as an “elective”

procedure. I’m not sure any dentist truly agrees with

this because implants tend to last longer and offer

patients greater health benefits than conventional

fixed bridges or something removable.”

What health benefits are you referring to?

“Well for one, dental implants don’t require the neighboring healthy teeth to be

ground down for support. Instead, implants are supported entirely by the

underlying jawbone, just like natural teeth. Additionally, and this is important,

dental implants replace the entire tooth structure and not just the crown as is the

case with conventional bridges and dentures. The roots of the teeth transmit the

forces associated with eating into the jawbone, which helps to stimulate it and

keep it healthy, thus preventing atrophy. This is a very important benefit because

atrophy causes the jawbone to waste away, which not only compromises the

health of the neighboring teeth, but can also lead to premature aging.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series for more advice

from our resident dental implants surgeon in New Jersey!

Thanks For Reading..!!