Why Dental Implants Are the Gold Standard in Replacing Teeth

It’s easy to think that missing a tooth or two is just a cosmetic problem. But whether you’re missing one tooth or several, you’re also putting your oral health at risk if you don’t replace them.

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, you may have experienced feelings of embarrassment because of unsightly gaps. You’re probably also tired of constantly dealing with issues related to cleaning your teeth, bite trouble, or even jaw pain. 

Millions of adults in America are living with at least one missing tooth, but if you’re in Cleveland, Ohio, you should know that you have options to replace them. Dr. Benedict Kim at A Caring Dental Group specializes in dental implants — and the National Consumer Advisory Board rated him among America’s Best Dentists in 2015.

If you want to replace your missing teeth, here’s why Dr. Kim considers dental implants the gold standard among your tooth replacement options. 

How dental implants work

The beauty of a dental implant as a tooth replacement is fairly straightforward — it replaces a lost tooth with the next best thing: a synthetic tooth root and a custom-made crown that fits right in with your surrounding teeth.

This approach mimics your natural teeth in almost every way, creating a smile that’s permanent, complete, and appears natural. 

The benefits of dental implants include:

• Working and looking like natural teeth 
• Closing gaps in your smile 
• Maintaining the structure and appearance of your face 
• Stimulating jawbone growth
• Supporting healthy teeth alignment

On top of that, implants don’t require special maintenance. Simply brush and floss as you do the rest of your teeth and schedule dental checkups as directed.

Implants start with a titanium post — like a screw — that Dr. Kim surgically places in your jaw. Think of this as the root, or foundation, of your artificial tooth. 

Then, Dr. Kim adds a connecting piece known as an abutment. This holds the visible part of your tooth replacement, either a crown for a single tooth or a dental implant bridge if you’re replacing several missing teeth.

What sets dental implants apart

Unlike other tooth replacement options, experts consider implants a permanent solution for your natural teeth. But that’s not all — they’re also the closest you can get to natural teeth, with the same feel and functionality. 

And no one can tell the difference, even when you sing, eat, laugh, or smile. Why? Because there are no glues, pastes, or powders involved. Your replacement tooth gets implanted in place. 

That means you don’t have removable plastic pieces in your mouth to gag on, and there’s no danger of an implant slipping out of position while you eat, talk, or laugh. Best of all, there are no restrictions on what you can eat. 

A significant advantage over other tooth replacement options is that the implanted post stimulates bone growth in your jaw, just as a natural tooth root does. This important process helps keep your jawbone strong and healthy while maintaining your facial appearance at the same time. 

Durable, convenient, and comfortable, your implants can last for your lifetime when you care for them properly.

What to expect from when getting dental implants

The process starts with a comprehensive exam, where Dr. Kim takes X-rays to gain a complete picture of your bone health and examines your jaw and remaining teeth. 

If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, Dr. Kim uses your X-rays to determine the ideal placement for your implant posts. He customizes your dental implants to match your remaining natural teeth.

During your implant procedure, Dr. Kim places the post in your jaw during outpatient surgery, and you go home to recover. Over the next few months, the post fuses with your jawbone. Once you’ve healed, you return to the office, and he attaches the abutment and affixes your new tooth restoration.

Are you missing one or more teeth? Consider dental implants. This gold standard for tooth replacement is just a phone call away in Cleveland, Ohio. Contact A Caring Dental Group to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim today.