Looking for tooth replacement options? Consider dental implants.

At Life Smiles Dental Care, we work with patients seeking tooth replacement options when they have a lost or extracted tooth within the smile. Not only does a missing tooth leave behind an unsightly gap, but it can also impact the function and health of the smile as a whole. Tooth loss can contribute to bone loss of the jaw, leaving other teeth at risk of becoming loose. Patients may also find it more challenging to enjoy many of their favorite foods when missing one or more teeth. When discussing tooth replacement options with our dentists at Life Smiles Dental Care in Phoenix, Arizona, they may recommend dental implants as a good solution.

Are dental implants safe?

Dental implants have quickly become the gold standard for replacing one or more teeth. These restorations are small posts created from titanium, a material that is commonly used in implants throughout the body thanks to its biocompatibility. This ensures that the implant can fuse with the body without complications, ensuring safety and long-lasting repair. Dental implant posts can be restored using several different types of restorations, including:

• Dental crowns. A porcelain dental crown is placed over the abutment of the dental implant to replace a single tooth.
• Dental bridges. For patients in Phoenix, Arizona, who do not have a tooth on one or both sides of a gap to be a good candidate for a dental bridge, a dental implant can be used instead to offer a foundation for the bridge to be attached.
• Dentures. While full dentures are great for patients missing all their teeth, they may not sit in the smile correctly or shift and rub to cause discomfort. With several dental implants placed along the gum line, many patients can use these to affix the denture in place and ensure better strength and stability for proper function and improved comfort.

How long do dental implant restorations last?

Because the dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone and stimulates bone growth through osseointegration, it becomes one with the jaw to provide optimum stability. The dental implant becomes a replacement tooth root below a restoration placed to restore the function and appearance of the smile. When patients take good care of these restorations, they can rest easy knowing their dental implant will last decades, often a lifetime! This eliminates the need for replacement restorations down the line, such as partial dentures, bridges, and porcelain crowns used in other specific situations. When you speak with our team about implants, our dentists can educate you on the steps you can take to protect your implant and ensure successful placement during the oral surgery procedure.

Are you ready to restore the smile permanently and efficiently?

Speaking with Drs. Paul Nielson, Timothy Schmidt, and Jared Bishop is the first step you can take to determine if you are a good candidate for the dental implant procedure for tooth replacement. Call (602) 786-5484 to request an appointment at our office, conveniently located at 4611 East Shea Boulevard, Suite #250, in Phoenix, AZ.