How long has the dental profession has been around? Well, the earliest sign of dental work, like a dental filling, was found in Slovenia over six thousand years ago! Even Pierre Fauchard, known as the “father of modern dentistry” was born in 1679.
This fascinating timeline shows that both dental techniques and dental technology are always advancing, creating wondrous new methods to keep our oral health at its peak. Today, let’s discuss one of the latest and greatest dental innovations: dental implants.
So What Are Dental Implants?
The shortest answer? Dental implants are among the greatest methods to replace a missing tooth. Naturally, the longer and more in-depth answer requires a bit more explanation and background information.
You see, thanks to modern means of producing high-quality material like titanium and porcelain, the availability of these materials have spread beyond traditional industry and can now be readily obtained by other professions (such as the professionals in the dental care community).
This means that modern dental implants have a titanium post that acts as the root of a missing tooth and then have a beautifully crafted false tooth called a crown attached to it.
Through the dental implant process, you can have:
- A single tooth replaced.
- A dental bridge secured to replace multiple teeth.
- All of your teeth replaced with a technique known as the All-on-4® Treatment Concept.
Is Replacing Teeth Just a Cosmetic Issue?
Thanks to the incredible imaging technology that modern dentists use, your replacement teeth will appear completely natural while providing the same functionality as your original teeth. So in that sense, dental implants can be seen as a cosmetic solution to missing teeth, but their benefits go far beyond that!
Our mouths are a complex team of nerves, muscles, and bones. If any part of that team (such as the hard tissue of your teeth) is lost, it puts an increased amount of stress on the rest of your mouth which creates plenty of oral health risks!
If you are missing one or more teeth, here are just some of the dental care dangers you could experience:
- Gum Disease: Our teeth help protect our gums from harmful bacteria. If you are missing one or more teeth, it exposes the excess gumline and empty tooth sockets to more bacteria, which can lead to gum disease or infection.
- Bone Loss: When a tooth is lost, it can have a devastating effect on your natural bite. Activities such as chewing or even speaking can become difficult, but worst of all is a weakened bite can lead to jawbone deterioration.
- Facial Muscle Shifts: Our gums, jaw, and teeth provide a stabilizing effect on our facial muscles. When you lose teeth, this can weaken the facial muscles, causing a slack or sagging appearance.
How Do I Know if Dental Implants Are Right for Me?
If you are in good health, free of gum disease, and are looking to replace one or more missing teeth, then you are already an ideal candidate for dental implants. However, if you are unsure whether or not to schedule a consultation, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want to improve my smile’s aesthetic?
- Has chewing become more difficult or painful since losing my teeth?
- Are permanent tooth replacements something that interests me?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it is time to contact Hill and Schneidmiller DDS and schedule a consultation on dental implants!
Discover the Benefits of Dental Implants Today!
For the last 30 years, residents of La Mesa and the greater San Diego county have had one dedicated team of dental professionals they can depend on: the team at Hill and Schneidmiller DDS! From routine oral care exams to high-quality dental implants, our practice is here to help you find your finest smile. Contact us today!
