Replacing Lost Teeth with Dental Implants


Replacing Lost Teeth with Dental Implants

By Wright Smiles

Losing a tooth is a serious matter. The gap in your smile can throw your bite off balance, and force your remaining teeth to take up the slack, which can lead to a host of other dental troubles that might include further tooth loss. Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost, a dental bridge, partial denture, or complete denture can restore your full smile and your ability to bite and chew properly. Usually made from lifelike dental porcelain, today’s replacement teeth are designed to closely mimic your natural teeth. With one or more dental implants from your Southlake dentist, Dr. Wright, your dental prosthesis will more closely resemble your natural teeth and the roots that support them.

Traditional Replacement Teeth

Conventional replacement teeth, like dental bridges and dentures, rely on innovative support systems to remain steady and stable as you bite and chew. Dental bridges have crowns affixed to either side, which are attached to the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile (called abutment teeth). Complete dentures are designed to fit snugly along an empty dental ridge with the help of special dental adhesives. Dental bridges and dentures can efficiently replace the visible parts of your teeth, called crowns, but the sockets where your teeth’s roots were remain empty. Without roots present, your jawbone can grow weak from a lack of nutrients, and in time, it may become too weak to support all of your remaining teeth.

A Revolutionary Support System

Dental implants are designed to emulate the roots of your lost teeth, and are surgically inserted into your jawbone where your teeth once rested. As your jawbone heals, it fuses to the biocompatible titanium implants, making them a biological part of your jawbone. The immediately-noticeable benefits of dental implants include unmatched stability for your new smile, as well as improved comfort by eliminating the need for hidden clasps or supportive dental crowns. Implants also help maintain the long-term health of your jawbone by providing much-needed stimulation when you bite and chew. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants can last for a lifetime (although your crown, bridge, or denture may need replacement after years of wear and tear).

About Gregory Wright, DDS:

As a native Texan, Dr. Gregory Wright opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He is happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.