Tooth loss not only leaves behind embarrassing gaps in your smile, but could lead to serious concerns with the health, beauty, and function of your smile. But our team can fill these gaps with dental implants, offering replacement options that act like natural teeth. At your Metairie, LA, oral surgery clinic, we can oversee the placement of dental implants and even fixed dentures!
Minor and Severe Tooth Loss
When we lose our teeth, this can cause serious trouble for our oral health and bite function, not to mention our appearance too! Even minor tooth loss means that the body will suspend the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the missing root, causing the jaw to break down, leading to further tooth loss and an older appearance. The more teeth we lose, the more likely we are to be unable to eat our favorite foods. Missing teeth can impact how clearly we speak too, and cause embarrassment with our appearance. But we can treat tooth loss with an option that also prevents the breakdown in your jaw!
Placing Dental Implants
Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts that we surgically insert into the jaw. The body accepts them as natural tooth roots, and they bond with the smile to enable your new teeth to last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime, with proper care and attention. Our team will start by carefully examining the smile. If you have underlying oral health issues like gum disease, we will manage this before moving forward to prevent implant failure. We then take detailed images and x-rays to choose the best angle, position, and depth to insert the posts. Our team wants to ensure your new post can support a crown, or that several can secure a bridge or even a fixed set of dentures, so whether you have minor or advanced tooth loss, we can offer a full smile.
Protecting Your New Smile
How do you ensure your new teeth can truly last for years to come? You should brush and floss your teeth, including your new ones, to remove stray food and drink particles, which reduces the risk of plaque buildup and issues like tooth decay or gum disease. We suggest avoiding tobacco products too. We may schedule follow-up visits to monitor your new teeth, and you should see your general dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months.
Talk to Your Metairie, LA Dentist About Implant Dentistry
Whether you have one missing tooth or could benefit from All-On-Four, we can help you smile with confidence again. For more information on how we handle minor and extensive tooth loss, reach out to our Metairie, LA oral surgery clinic at (504) 455-7161.