We often don’t recognize the significance of something until it’s gone. The same rings true for our teeth. More than just agents for chewing, teeth provide jaw support and work in harmony with the muscles and joints of the facial system. Your physical appearance suffers too. Dr. Murray understands the complex role teeth play in your overall health and self-esteem, which is why he recommends dental implants.
Tooth Anatomy 101
The tooth has two parts: the root, which extends into the jawbone; and the crown, which is the portion you see when you smile. Until recently, tooth-replacement options only compensated the crown. Dental implants are biocompatible tooth roots that are topped with a custom crown, bridge, or denture. By closely mimicking natural tooth structure, dental implants provide the greatest level of support, comfort, and longevity.
The Dental Implant Process
If Dr. Murray finds that you’re a good candidate for dental implants, he’ll work with a specialist for implant placement, and then he’ll attach your custom prosthetic in our Portsmouth dental office. Dental implant placement involves a brief surgery in which the artificial tooth root is placed into the jawbone. The jawbone naturally fuses to the implant post over a period of about three months. The number of dental implants you receive will depend on the number of missing teeth and your replacement option. For example, a patient missing all of their teeth may only need a few strategically-placed dental implants to anchor a full denture. Dental implants have a success rate upwards of 95%, and they last most patients for a lifetime.
Call today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Murray. Families in the Portsmouth, South Shore, Wheelersburg, Lucasville, and Otway areas have trusted us with their smiles since 1988.