Dental Implants are an Important Dental Service

Hello there, and welcome back to our blog! As a Missoula dentist, we have made it our mission to make sure that all of our clients are as well informed as possible about the different services that we provide. We strongly believe that most people are hesitant about visiting the dentist because they don’t always know what to expect in relation to the services that they may need. To help spread some more information and take some of the mystery out of dental procedures,  we here at Bitterroot Dental wanted to use today’s post to go over dental implants, a dental procedure that has helped millions of people over the years. Keep reading to learn a little more about this service.

What are Dental Implants?

While the term “dental implant” might make you cringe out of perceived discomfort, they are actually one of the most popular and effective options available to people who need to have a tooth replaced. When a person loses a tooth, either as a result of trauma to the mouth or tooth decay, the effects reach further than the average person might first assume. The jaw and teeth work together in order to support each other. If a tooth is knocked out, a space is left in the jaw where the root of the tooth used to sit. The longer this vacancy is allowed to last, the more the integrity of the jawbone suffers. Luckily, dental implants have proven to be an effective way to not only replace a person’s tooth but to also ensure that the jawbone’s integrity remains intact. Dental implants utilize a small metal post, typically made of titanium, that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the implant is set, a false tooth is attached to the top of the metal post, providing a replacement that is almost indistinguishable from a person’s natural teeth. The jawbone gradually grows around the metal post, treating it the same way as the root of a tooth, resulting in a replacement that is as close as we can currently get to a natural tooth.

Is a Dental Implant Right For Your Situation?

Dental implants are almost always the best choice for replacing a tooth. While dental bridges are effective at mimicking the look of a tooth and work to keep the rest of the remaining teeth from shifting around, they do not provide the jawbone with anything to latch onto. If the jawbone becomes especially weakened, this can cause a wide variety of issues that we are certain most people don’t want to have to deal with. In summation, the answer is yes; dental implants are the best option for tooth replacement.

If you would like to learn more about dental implants or you are in need of a dental implant, please contact us today at Bitterroot Dental to schedule an appointment. We have been helping Missoula area residents for years with their dental needs and we are certain that we can help you with any issues that you may be experiencing.