If you are considering a different tooth-replacement device for a missing tooth, a dental implant may be your best option. Here are a few reasons why:

Dental implants are permanent.

Dental implants can last throughout your lifetime. An implant is usually made of titanium metal, which is non-reactive and does not wear away easily. Additionally, since the implant is embedded inside of the bone of the jaw, it remains fixed in position, unless it is loosened by trauma. As a result, the implant is as durable as a natural tooth.

The dental implant restoration for a single tooth includes the attachment of a connector and a dental crown. If a porcelain or porcelain-over-metal crown is selected to cover the dental implant and restore the look and chewing ability of the tooth, the crown should also last indefinitely. Nevertheless, if the crown does become damaged and the dental implant is still stable within the bone, only the crown would need to be replaced.

Dental implants encourage the production of more jawbone cells.

The jawbone produces additional cells in response to stimulation from bite pressure. As you chew, pressure is transferred from the dental implant to the bone of your jaw as it would be for a natural tooth. As long as the stimulation continues, the density of the jawbone is naturally maintained. However, if there is no stimulation to an area of the jawbone, which is generally the case when a dental bridge or denture is used for tooth replacement, that area of the bone may begin to atrophy or shrink. This can result in an aged or hollow look to your face.

Dental implants can be used to support other teeth-replacement appliances in the future.

If you lose additional teeth in the future and would like to use a dental bridge or an implant-supported denture, the crown used for single-tooth dental implant restoration can be removed, and the new appliance can be supported using the dental implant.

For a dental bridge, the bridge crowns can be bonded to the dental implant to secure into place. A standard dental bridge consists of false teeth in the center of the bridge with a bridge crown on each end of the appliance.

An implant-supported denture has a mechanism on its underside that can attach the denture to dental implants for stable support.

To learn more about the benefits of a dental implant, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area and check out http://www.charlottesvilledentistry.com/.