A dental implant is one option for replacing missing teeth. Implants can be beneficial to those who have lost a single tooth, a few teeth, or a whole arch due to gum disease, cavities, or trauma.
For those who have lost just a single tooth, a dental implant is the best choice because its fabrication does not affect adjacent teeth. If an implant isn't used, then the teeth on each side of the missing tooth are prepared as anchors to support the replacement tooth.
When missing two or three teeth, implants provide an anchor to attach a fixed bridge. Otherwise, a removable appliance, like a partial denture, has to be used, something less acceptable to many people.
Dental implants can also be used when all the upper or lower teeth must be replaced. In these cases, a full denture fits on top of the implants, which makes a secure fit. Chewing is much easier with implants than with dentures.
"Natural tooth function" is the term used to describe the secure feeling of having an implant, because it is a stable foundation upon which to bite, chew, and grind. Without the option of implants, tooth loss attributed to gum disease, cavities, or trauma may prevent many individuals from having this natural tooth function. Implants are stable, comfortable, and functional.
The gum tissue around a dental implant needs more care than the gum tissue around a natural tooth. Using a Sonicare toothbrush is an excellent way to help keep this gum tissue healthy, giving the implant a much greater chance of success. In fact, the Sonicare toothbrush has been clinically proven to be more effective at reducing plaque and improving gum health around implants than a manual toothbrush.
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