Tooth loss can be a stressful reality to face because of the cosmetic and functional implications, but it is not the end of the line for your smile. Explore tooth replacement options with Dr. Michael Teitelbaum at Briarcliff Center for Esthetic Dentistry in Briarcliff Manor, NY. The first solution you should explore with your dentist is a dental implant, which will provide you with a reliable and permanent tooth replacement.
Dental Implant History and Statistics
The science behind modern-day dental implantation has its roots in an experiment performed by two brothers named Alvin and Moses Strock. They found that by adding a piece of biocompatible metal to healthy bone tissue, the metal would solidify with the bone. This discovery has had a major impact in medicine, including the field of dentistry. Nowadays, dentists perform over 1.2 million dental implant procedures every year according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. A piece of biocompatible titanium is added to healthy bone tissue in the mouth so that it can provide support for a new dental crown.
How Do Implants Work?
Your jaw bone serves a number of functions, including speech and forming the structure of your face. It also serves as an anchor point for your teeth. If the bone is no longer useful, it starts to disappear. Wearing a dental implant will keep your bone tissue viable and healthy. The device combines with the bone through a process called osseointegration over a period of months. When the bone completely covers the implant, it is firmly entrenched like your other teeth. Your Briarcliff Manor, NY dentist then attaches an abutment and dental crown to the implant to occupy the open space. Once placed, no one, including you, will probably even notice that you were ever missing a tooth.
How Long Do They Last?
A dental implant becomes a permanent part of your oral cavity. It will stay right where it is for as long as you care for your smile. The dental crown may have to be replaced every 10 years or so due to wear and tear—possibly even longer than that depending on how often you brush, floss, and see your dentist for check-ups.
Close Spaces and Restore Your Smile
Find out more about how dental implants work and have one installed at Briarcliff Center for Esthetic Dentistry in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Call (914) 941-2000 today for an implant exam and consultation with Dr. Michael Teitelbaum.