We know that no one plans or even expects to deal with tooth loss. Everything from gum disease to severe decay can leave gaps in your smile where tooth used to be. If this is something you’re dealing with our Greensburg, PA, dentist Dr. Anthony Marchionno can help get your smile back on track with dental implants.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is made up of three different parts:
- A small metal screw, which functions like tooth roots
- An abutment, which connects the implant with the artificial tooth
- An artificial tooth (e.g. a dental crown)
For the implant to function like a tooth root that will require our Greensburg, PA, general dentist to place the implant into the jaw where the missing tooth was. Over the course of several months the bone and tissue will heal around the implant, making it a permanent part of the jawbone and a long-term foundation from which to support a false tooth (or teeth).
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
No matter whether you are missing one, several or all of your teeth, if you are a healthy adult you could benefit from getting dental implants. To determine your candidacy we will need to examine your mouth and run x-rays to make sure the jawbone is strong and healthy enough to support your implant.
Other factors that could determine your candidacy for getting dental implants include:
- Your overall health
- Chronic health problems (e.g. diabetes)
- Your oral health
- Smoking and other lifestyle habits (smoking greatly increases implant failure)
- Being pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
- Your dedication to maintaining good oral hygiene
It’s important to share as much about your health as possible with our dentist so that we can determine whether implants are the most effective way to treat your tooth loss.
A full smile is a healthy smile. If you are an adult who is living with tooth loss in Greensburg, PA, then call our office today to discuss your options for restoring your missing teeth.