York PA Dental Implants
Dental implants are rapidly becoming the most popular method of replacing missing teeth. Why? Not just for cosmetic reasons, though a well-done dental implant will look and feel like your natural tooth. Dental implants have health benefits that over-shadow their attractive cosmetic qualities.
Did you know that as soon as you lose a tooth, the bone of your jaw begins to deteriorate at the location of the missing tooth? If you are missing several or all of your teeth, this can lead to a condition called "facial collapse" over the course of time. Patients who experience facial collapse often cannot wear dentures of any kind, and even dental implants might not be possible without repair to the bones of the jaws. The only solutions involve either a lot of time and money, or a lot of tolerance. Bone grafting can be done to make the bones of the jaws strong enough to support implants, if the patient is healthy enough to tolerate the surgery, and has the financial ability to pay for this involved procedure. The alternative is tolerance–of a depreciated ability to eat or speak normally. Ideally, missing teeth should be addressed before a patient has to face choices that weigh their quality of life against the contents of their bank accounts.
Dental implants halt the deterioration of the bone at the site of the missing tooth. They also restore your ability to eat and speak normally. After a period of healing, a dental implant will feel like a natural part of your mouth. Many people with dental issues are forced to eat a very restricted diet of soft foods, inviting a host of issues related to nutritional deficiencies. Dental implants can give you back apples and corn on the cob–they are as strong as your healthy natural teeth.
Dental Implant Procedure, In Brief
Dr. Currie first establishes whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants based on your general health, and ability to tolerate the required surgery. There are several reasons why the two of you together might determine that dental implants are not right for you. If you are weighing the choice between a dental implant vs bridge, click this link to review your options.
The first phase of treatment involves the surgical implantation of the "root form" into the bone of your jaw. It is this portion of the dental implant procedure that most demands Dr. Currie's level of experience and expertise. A quick search on the Internet yields story after story of dental implants gone wrong, usually because the root form was not properly placed. Dr. Currie's extensive training and AACD certification can help you feel assured that you are safe under his care.
After a healing period, the porcelain crown can be placed over the root form. The length of the healing period varies from person to person, but is usually several weeks.
A crown designed by an expert cosmetic dentist like Dr. Currie will be undetectable as a false tooth. More importantly from a health standpoint, it will function and feel like a natural tooth.
If your financial situation will not allow you to consider dental implants, read about mini dental implants here. They may be a more economical solution for you.