Missing teeth can impact more than just the appearance of your smile. The absence of just one tooth can cause teeth adjacent to the gap to shift into it, which can lead to crowding issues. Crowding can alter your bite as well as create hard-to-clean spaces in your smile resulting in decay. The good news is your Phoenix, AZ, dentist can help restore your smile and with dental implants. For any questions regarding dental implants turn to Dr. Radhika Rawal of Desert Ridge Smiles.
How Dental Implants in Phoenix, AZ, Work
What we refer to as a dental implant actually consists of three parts, a titanium post shaped like a screw, the abutment attached to the post, and a dental crown. The titanium post is implanted directly into the bone of the jaw during minor oral surgery. A process called osseointegration permanently fuses the bone tissue and the implant making it very secure. After the area heals, an implant abutment is used to attach your custom-made dental crown. Your new tooth is just as strong as a natural tooth and will match perfectly with your smile.
To replace many teeth or your entire smile, your dentist will attach dentures to several dental implants that are strategically placed. These dentures are not removable so they won't slip or slide while you are eating or speaking.
Dental implants are supported in a very similar way to natural teeth, which means they don't affect neighboring teeth negatively. It's true that dental implants take a longer initial time investment than the alternatives because of the implant area healing, but the result is a restoration that is engineered to be longer-lasting, to look and function just like a natural smile.
To see if you are a candidate for dental implants in Phoenix, AZ, the first step is a consultation with Dr. Rawal of Desert Ridge Smiles. Call us at (480) 860-4300 to book your appointment today.