Dentures used to be the only way to restore your smile following tooth loss, but there are other options available to you now. Dental implants offer a secure and reliable alternative for replacing missing teeth. One of the benefits of dental implants is that they can be used to replace one tooth at a time or several all at once. Drs. Joseph and Nina Zeigler, the experienced dentists at our dental practice in St. Louis, MO, can restore your smile with dental implants.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small metal screw-like posts that function similarly to roots by anchoring prosthetic teeth in place from below the gum line. It is possible to replace one tooth or several teeth with dental implants. When replacing one tooth, a single dental implant is topped with a crown. If several teeth are being replaced simultaneously, multiple implants can be used to anchor a dental bridge or fixed denture in place.

Dental implants must be inserted directly into the jaw bone so there must be enough bone tissue to support the placement of the implants. Additionally, the metal implants and bone tissue eventually fuse together through a natural process known as osseointegration. This permanent fusion is what makes dental implants so strong and reliable. Without enough bone, osseointegration might not be possible.

Unfortunately, bone loss is one side effect of tooth loss so you might not be a candidate for this tooth-replacement option. The skilled dentists at our office in St. Louis, MO, can determine if dental implants are a possibility for you.

Benefits of Dental Implants

There are so many benefits to restoring your smile with dental implants. One of the benefits is that they securely anchor prosthetic teeth in place since the implants are permanently fused in bone tissue. You won’t have to worry about your artificial teeth slipping out of place.

Another benefit of dental implants is that they reduce many of the side effects of tooth loss. For example, extensive tooth loss can result in facial sagging and drooping because there are not enough teeth to support the muscles in the face. Altered speech is another side effect of tooth loss. The way you speak can change if the tongue slips into the gaps in your smile when talking. Dental implants help minimize these problems by filling in the gaps and providing support for facial muscles.

One of the long-term benefits of dental implants is that they preserve bone tissue. Without any teeth to support, the body naturally reabsorbs bone tissue. However, the body is prevented from doing so when dental implants have been placed in the jaw bone.

The benefits of dental implants are numerous. They restore your smile, preserve bone, and reduce the unwanted side effects of tooth loss. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Joseph or Nina Zeigler to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants by calling our office in St. Louis, MO, at (314) 872-7590.