There is a time and place for all dental work. It exists because at some point, that procedure was the best thing available to correct a common dental problem. Since the beginning of man, we have been trying to replace teeth when we lose them. Maybe you’ve seen Disney’s interpretation in How to Train Your Dragon when the character Gobber has to keep replacing his prosthetic tooth: a big rock. I’m sure we’ve all heard the myths of George Washington’s wooden teeth (he actually had several pairs of dentures made from various materials: bone, ivory, brass screws, led, gold wire, and human teeth).
Our quest for longer, higher-quality life has driven every aspect of health, especially dentistry. The latest major breakthrough (that happened several decades ago) for dental restoration is with dental implants. Implants are finally starting to gain the popularity they deserve. You see, when you lose a tooth, you also lose the tooth root. That root is an important piece to your facial structure. To fully restore a tooth, you must restore the tooth and its root.
How Can We Accomplish That?
The most common restoration for a single missing tooth is a bridge. It’s the least expensive correction, and it seems like the best way to go. However, a bridge doesn’t address the fact that you need to not only restore the tooth, but the tooth root. It also is not completely permanent. That’s where a dental implant comes in. A dental implant is a titanium post that goes into your jaw bone just like a tooth root. Over time, the bone will fuse with the post to create a permanent attachment. A crown is secured on top to serve as the tooth restoration.
Not only is the implant a more permanent and healthier solution because it addresses the missing tooth root, but the cost might surprise you. An implant might cost a small amount more up front, but the permanent solution will be there for the remainder of your life. In fact, Dr. Ron provides his 10 year warranty for all implant patients. The dental implant reigns supreme over bridges, rocks, and wooden teeth. When you’re ready to find out more, give us a call! We look forward to meeting with you soon!
