The replacement of missing teeth has been an important facet of modern dentistry and the focus of both restorative and cosmetic dentistry as new options have become available that are both highly functional and natural looking. One of the problems associated with tooth loss is the subsequent loss of bone in the jaw where the natural tooth root used to be, causing additional dental health issues and bite problems.
Dental implants address this issue, offering patients who have lost a tooth a “replacement in kind”: a prosthetic tooth that is anchored into the jaw bone with a tiny titanium post that mimics the tooth root. The tiny post implanted acts much like a natural tooth root, which helps to generate natural bone growth to support the tooth structure. A dental implant not only provides patients with a secure, natural looking and functioning tooth, but it can also help to reduce further bone loss and support long term dental health.
Dental implants can also be used to secure dentures when a patient has either multiple missing teeth to replace or wishes to fix the problem of ill fitting dentures. Strategically placed implants will serve to support the denture and also help to maintain sufficient bone retention and growth for better long term oral health.
At Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry, Dr. Leonard Hess offers implant dentistry and will create a customized treatment plan to suit a patient’s dental health needs and budget. Dr. Hess, a highly trained implant dentist, uses some of the latest dental technologies in order to provide accurate diagnoses and results that blend with a patient’s natural smile. Dr. Hess will coordinate all phases of the implant procedure, ensuring that his Charlotte area dental patients receive consistent high quality care to ensure the best possible long term result.
Dental implants feel just like a natural tooth once complete, and patients can eat and function normally- there is no special daily care involved in maintaining the implant. Regular preventive care visits are important for keeping the implant healthy, along with a patient’s natural teeth, and monitoring its condition over time.
Dr. Hess can answer any questions you may have regarding the implant process and long term benefits of dental implants- contact Union County Center for Comprehensive Dentistry in Monroe to schedule a consultation.