Why We Love Dental Implants

When it comes to replacing one or more lost teeth, dental implants have become the go-to for many dentists and patients seeking to restore a smile and regain natural function and beauty.

At the practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, the option for dental implants is always open. If you’re a good candidate for a dental implant, Dr. Yalamanchili will refer you to a qualified oral surgeon for implant placement, and then she will create your perfectly shaped restoration to complete your renovated smile.

Why patients and dentists love dental implants

In the debate between dental implants vs. bridges or dentures, the choice becomes clearer with each passing year. Dental implants deliver a better look, feel, and function than either of the other two options available for tooth replacement, and they last longer as well. 

Here are some of the biggest reasons why patients and dentists alike choose dental implants whenever possible to replace one or more missing teeth.

Implants replace the whole tooth

Dental implant surgery replaces the whole tooth, including the root — not just the part that sticks up visibly through the gum. Your surgeon places a biocompatible titanium post into the jawbone, and you wait a few months for osseointegration to take place as the post and bone fuse together. 

Once the implant is secure, an abutment is placed on the post, and Dr. Yalamanchili creates your restoration (the visible part of the tooth) to finish off your smile. The result is a solid tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions just like your original tooth.

Whole tooth replacement fights off bone loss

The reason replacing the entire tooth right down to the root is so important is that the root of your tooth is what keeps your jawbone stimulated and alive. When a tooth falls out, the bone underneath the empty socket slowly starts to dissolve, leading to weakened jaw structure. 

Typically, teeth on either side of the gap become loose and fall out, and the pattern continues until you’re completely edentulous (toothless). With a dental implant, the jawbone stays alive and you can prevent additional tooth loss.

Implants last longer than bridges or dentures

A properly installed and maintained implant combined with a solid periodontal routine to keep your gums healthy can mean your dental implant can last considerably longer than bridges or dentures, which have to be replaced as they wear out or your mouth changes due to additional bone and tooth loss. 

Studies of dental implant patients that follow them for years after their surgery show that 94% of dental implants last at least 15 years, and today’s implants are engineered to last up to three times that long — potentially the rest of your life.

Have one or more missing teeth? A single implant can stand in as a support for multiple missing teeth, and a whole arch of replacement teeth can be supported on just four posts. If you think you could be a good candidate for dental implants, call our office at 703-213-5312 or book your appointment with Dr. Yalamanchili online today.