Whether a person loses a single tooth or several, it can be a devastating experience. We are social beings who have to speak with others to work and socialize and there is often a stigma to having missing teeth. A cosmetic dentist in Appleton, such as Douglas Nelson, DDS can restore a smile and make people enjoy being with others again. Dental implants can effectively replace a single tooth. After the jaw and gum area has healed completely from the tooth extraction, the dentist inserts the titanium implant into the patient’s jaw. Dr. Nelson uses the latest CAT scan technology to ensure that the implant is placed in the best location.
It takes about six to eight weeks for the dental implant to be fully accepted into the jaw. Once the integration is complete, the implant is as strong as the original root. The dentist takes an impression of the area so that he can attach a porcelain crown on top of it. The cosmetic dentist in Appleton is also very careful to match the porcelain to the enamel of the surrounding teeth. Once the process is complete, the crown and implant combination looks like a natural tooth. With the proper dental care and at-home brushing and flossing, the crown and implant should last for decades.
As people age, their immune function decreases. That’s why Seniors may develop gum disease and loose all of their teeth. It’s important for them to get a pair of comfortable and attractive dentures. Not only will this make them feel comfortable in social situations, it will help them continue to eat nutritious foods. People are often afraid that their dentures will slip when they are speaking or eating in public. Dentists have now solved that problem by using dental implants to anchor the dentures. This also has the added benefit of keeping the jaw stronger. When the jaw bone no longer has teeth roots to hold, it atrophies and loses size and density. Dental implants mimic the function of roots and help keep the jaw bone strong.
Even with the implants, the dentures should be removed each night for cleaning. The implants have small metal balls on them instead of crowns. The dentures have slots that match their location. In the morning the person just takes the clean dentures and snaps them into place.
