At Smile Center in Buffalo, NY, we understand that losing natural teeth has both a physical and emotional impact on a person. Without natural teeth, simple tasks like chewing and speaking can become difficult. Individuals often become embarrassed by the gaps in the smile which can lead to low self-esteem and isolation. Replacing missing teeth is important to improve the health of the smile and the patient’s confidence. Several tooth replacement options are available at Smile Center, with the most durable and comprehensive being dental implants.

Dental Implants are the closest restorative option to natural teeth. When in place, implants can improve the beauty, strength, and health of the smile. If you have experienced tooth loss and are unhappy with your current restoration, find out more about dental implants by calling Smile Center today at .

What are dental implants?

Implants are tiny, rod-like cylinders that replace the natural tooth root. They are designed to support dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Because dental implants provide stability down to the bone like natural teeth, patients can chew, speak, and smile with ease and confidence.

Implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement because they are the strongest, most long-lasting solution. They are made from titanium, which is a strong, biocompatible material. Implants can be used for patients missing one or many teeth.

Anatomy of dental implants

In order to understand dental implants, it’s important to understand the anatomy of a tooth. When you smile, you only see a portion of the natural tooth. The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. Beneath the gums lies the tooth’s root, which is the lifeline of the tooth and provides support and structure.

The dental implant is the rod that is inserted into the bone. This is considered the new tooth “root.” A connector called an abutment is attached to the implant. Some dental implants are one piece and include the abutment already attached.

Above the gumline, we replace the visible portion of the tooth with either a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth are missing.

Dental Implant Placement

The dental implant procedure occurs over the course of two appointments. The first appointment is an in-office surgical procedure to place the implants. The dentist will make an incision through the gum in order to place the implant into the jawbone. The length of this procedure depends on how many implants are being placed. Once they are in place, the implants will fuse with the jawbone, during a process called osseointegration. Patients will be provided with temporary restorations to wear in the interim as osseointegration can take several months.

Once the implant has fused with the bone, patients can return for placement of the final restoration. Taking care of dental implants is as simple as taking care of natural teeth – patients just need to brush and floss regularly.

Benefits of dental implants

The biggest benefit of dental implants is that they replace the missing tooth root. This provides the jawbone with the necessary stimulation it needs to maintain structure and prevent further tooth loss.

Other advantages include:

• Long lasting – dental implants can last forever with proper oral hygiene
• Allows patient to chew comfortably
• Restores the beauty of the smile
• More comfortable and durable than alternatives such as bridges or removable dentures
• Preserves the facial structure, preventing the appearance of an aging face
• No fear of teeth slipping out of place or worse, falling out
• Temporary restorations can be placed to allow functionality and confidence during the healing process
• Prevent jawbone deterioration
• Prevent shifting teeth

The benefits of Smile Center

At Smile Center, we offer patients state of the art restorations. Our highly trained staff will explain all the options available, helping patients choose the solution that best fits his or her unique needs and budget.

Dental implants are a strong, lasting solution for patients who are missing natural teeth. There is no need to suffer in silence with embarrassment from missing teeth or discomfort from ill-fitting restorations. To find out if dental implants are right for you, please call Smile Center today at to schedule a consultation.