Whether it's due to an accident or decay, dental implants seamlessly fill in the gaps in your smile.
Missing teeth can be an exciting milestone in a child's life, but they can be a limiting source of embarrassment and discomfort for adults. It is estimated that almost 70% of middle-aged Americans are missing at least one tooth. The loss of just one tooth may seem 
minor, but its absence can set off a chain reaction of more serious health problems. Fortunately, Summerville Dentistry is proud to offer dental implants as a high-quality and permanent replacement for missing teeth.
Implant Basics
Once a tooth is removed, a titanium post can be placed in the resulting space. This procedure typically involves the same amount of anesthesia and time as one would expect from getting a cavity filled at your Augusta dentist's office. It takes several months for the post to integrate itself into the surrounding bone and provide a stable foundation for a crown, which is intricately designed to look exactly like the remaining natural teeth. This crown will in turn provide support for the teeth on either side of it, which keeps them from loosening and creating more empty spaces.
Securing Dentures
You may be concerned that dental implants may be prohibitively expensive or time-consuming if you need all or most of your teeth extracted. Conventional dentures have always been thought of as the first line of defense for multiple missing teeth. However, these "false teeth" tend to come with problems of their own. Because they are removable, the jawbones that they are designed to fit over can erode over time, which means frequent refitting of the denture plates and premature aging in the face from loss of bone density. But just a few dental implants can reinforce the gum ridges and keep denture plates securely in place.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of dental implants is that they require no extra maintenance beyond that of normal dental hygiene - brushing, flossing and regular checkups with Dr. Scott Wingard.
Missing teeth may be an unfortunate reality, but with dental implants, you don't have to live with those gaps. Talk to the dental professionals at Summerville Dentistry to learn how dental implants can improve your smile and your health.