Dental team in Yadkinville, NC offers implants as a treatment for tooth loss
Drs. William Virtue and Mary Katherine Taylor, dentists in Yadkinville, NC, offer solutions for tooth loss. One treatment requested by many of our patients is dental implants. Patients seeking a permanent solution for missing teeth should ask about implants. Dental implants are tooth replacement solutions available at Virtue Dental Care.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are tooth root replacements. With the placement of dental implants, bone growth is stimulated. The patient’s bone fuses to the implant to hold it firmly in the jaw in a process called osseointegration. This bone growth provides a foundation for many different restorations, including a:
- Dental crown
- Dental bridge
- Full denture
By using dental implants, patients can preserve bone and provide a permanent replacement for one or more missing teeth.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
To be considered for the placement of dental implants, patients must undergo an evaluation with Drs. William Virtue or Mary Katherine Taylor. Our dentists use X-rays to check if the bone is strong enough to support the implant to ensure a successful procedure. Those with insufficient bone can ask about alternative treatments or ask about bone grafting to build up the bone to create a strong foundation for implants in the future.
Why should dental implants be considered for tooth loss?
Treatment of tooth loss with dental implants ensures patients have a reliable, durable, and long-lasting way of replacing missing teeth. Patients typically choose dental implants because of their advantages. They are:
- Strong and durable due to bone growth around the implant
- Natural-looking
- As effective as natural teeth
- Easy to care for
- An excellent investment in permanent tooth replacement
- Biocompatible with the body
Maintaining a youthful appearance with dental implants
The body will naturally begin to lose bone in areas where it is not in use. This process is called resorption. When a patient loses a tooth, dental resorption may start. Dental resorption causes the jawbone to shrink and can result in a “sunken in” appearance around the oral area. These negative changes affect the structure of the face that can make patients look older than they are. One of the reasons patients may consider dental implants is to maintain their youthful look. Implants keep resorption from occurring and can ensure a healthier smile.
How are dental implants used with a traditional denture?
Patients who have a full denture to replace one an arch of teeth may deal with problems such as poor stability and failing placement. Wearing a complete denture can also increase the speed at which bone is lost through resorption. Due to these changes, patients must have their complete dentures adjusted or replaced regularly to ensure proper fit and functionality. While denture adhesives keep a denture in place, they are not always effective in maintaining their function. This can result in embarrassing moments in social situations with friends, family, or coworkers.
Instead, patients unhappy with denture adhesives might want to speak to Drs. William Virtue or Mary Katherine Taylor about using dental implants to anchor their full denture in place. Anywhere from four to six dental implants are placed along the dental arch. These implants snap together with a custom complete denture to provide optimum stability and function. They improve fit while allowing patients to feel much more confident with their restoration when enjoying their favorite foods and engaging in social interactions with others. Our dentists encourage patients to ask about implant-retained dentures as an alternative to traditional dentures held in with unreliable denture adhesives.
How to care for a dental implant
Dental implants do not require special attention to maintain them. However, patients should be sure they visit their dental team for routine recall visits to monitor for signs of bone loss, periodontal disease, or decay.
Please request an appointment with our dentists today!
The team at Virtue Dental Care is committed to providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages. If you live in the Yadkinville, NC area, we welcome you to connect with us by calling (336) 606-0040.
