Missing teeth can have a variety of causes. In some cases, the loss of one or more teeth may be due to a common oral health condition like gum disease. In other cases, it may be the result of an injury. But regardless of what the cause was, even a single missing tooth can jeopardize the health of your bite, as well as your jawbone. When you have one or more missing teeth, the surrounding dentition will shift over time to accommodate changes in pressure, resulting in misalignment problems that include TMJ dysfunction. In the wake of these dramatic changes, jawbone deterioration, decreased function, and poor self-esteem can follow, and all from just one missing tooth.
But if you have one or more missing teeth, you don’t have to live with a loss of confidence or functionality. Ask Dr. Higginbottom and Dr. Derksen of Dallas Esthetics about dental implants, one of the most effective restorative dentistry options available. Made of titanium alloy—which is a biocompatible metal—a dental implant is a small screw set into the jawbone during a simple oral surgery performed by an oral surgeon.
Traditional crowns, bridges, and dentures don’t use dental implants, which accounts for the continued changes to your smile over time. Tooth roots are important for stabilizing teeth and for keeping the jaw strong. With dental implants, which act as prosthetic roots, you can enjoy a smile that feels as strong and lifelike as what nature originally gave you.
Once your dental implant surgery has healed, Dr. Higginbottom or Dr. Derksen will place an esthetic crown over the previously placed implant post. With dental implants, it’s possible to replace just a single missing tooth with a crown, a few missing teeth with a bridge or partial, or an entire row of missing teeth with full dentures. No matter what your needs, your restorative dentist Dr. Higginbottom or Dr. Derksen will design a restoration just for you. When it’s complete, your new restoration will blend with your smile so well that no one will ever know you had dental work done, unless you tell them!
Let Dr. Higginbottom and Dr. Derksen restore your missing teeth and return your smile to full oral health and beauty with dental implants. Call our Downtown Dallas office today to schedule your implant evaluation. Our office in Downtown Dallas serves patients from across the area, including Lakewood, University Park, Uptown Dallas, and Highland Park.