Dr. Michael Nugent Dental Implant Dentist:
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth roots. The dental implant serves as the foundation to replace a missing tooth. The tooth replacement is completed by attaching the abutment to the implant. Then the crown is placed onto the abutment for a tooth replacement option that looks, feel and functions like a dental implant.
Dental implants are the longest lasting tooth replacement option and the standard of care for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are anchored in the bone and help to stimulate and preserve bone levels. Old fashioned bridges and dentures can replace missing teeth but cannot prevent bone loss.
Dr. Nugent is concerned about oral health issues and cosmetic outcomes. By replacing missing teeth, patients regain their confidence to smile. The dental implants help systemic health by allowing patients to eat fruits and vegetables.
Early Dental Implant History
Archeologists have discovered that Egyptians and Mayans placed tooth shaped shells into empty tooth sockets. In 1952 Swedish Dr. P.I. Branemark discovered that the bone will fuse to titanium. Dr. Branemark’s original experiments were for knee and hip surgery. However, Dr. Branemark quickly shifted his focus to edentulous patients.
Dental implants are helping to solve problems that many dental patients have had to suffer within the past. Patients have struggled with missing teeth, denture instability, decreased chewing forces and loss of facial structures. Now with modern dental implants Dr. Nugent can eliminate these problems.
Dr. Nugent what are dental implants?
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots made out of titanium that are inserted into the jawbone. The restored dental implant consists of: dental implant, abutment and crown.
The first part of receiving dental implants is to have the implants inserted into the jawbone. Most often the titanium dental implant is left alone to fuse with the bone. Then after the implant has integrated into the bone impressions are taken and the dental implant is restored with the permanent abutment and cosmetic porcelain crown. However, under certain conditions the dental implant can be placed and immediately loaded with a temporary abutment and crown. After a few months the temporary pieces are replaced with the permanent abutment and cosmetic porcelain crown.
Why replace missing teeth?
Teeth are designed to work together as a team. Teeth evenly distribute the forces generated during chewing. When teeth are missing the remaining teeth must shoulder more of the chewing forces. The excessive forces can cause more tooth loss.
Teeth like to work together as a team. When a tooth is missing the remaining teeth will collapse into the open space. The teeth want to touch and will shift trying to find the missing tooth. This shifting can cause problems with the jaw joint. Also, the shifting can cause gum tissue problems. The malalignment of the teeth makes it difficult to clean and thus more prone to cavities.
Teeth are anchored in bone. The teeth stimulate bone levels during chewing. When a tooth is lost there is no longer any stimulation. The bone rapidly disappears. This causes changes in the facial contours as the cheek collapses into the space once held by the missing tooth and bone. Only dental implants stimulate and preserve bone levels. In fact, this is one of the greatest features of dental implants.
Dental Implant v. Bridge
A great advantage of dental implants is that healthy adjacent teeth are not compromised when replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Old fashioned bridges require aggressive cutting of the healthy teeth in front and behind of the missing tooth. Old fashioned bridges literally “bridge” the gap of the missing tooth. Unfortunately, now all the teeth are splinted together. The anchor teeth have increased risk of needing root canals (this is due to the aggressive cutting) and have increased risk of getting cavities (due to the splinting of the teeth and difficulty of properly cleaning the teeth). The two main reasons for bridges to be unsuccessful are failed root canals on the anchor teeth and decay on the anchor teeth. Dental implants will never need a root canal and will never get a cavity. Dental implants are anchored in the jawbone where they stimulate and preserve bone levels. Dental bridges do nothing to stimulate bone. Therefore, the bone and gum tissue will start to disappear underneath a bridge causing an unsightly gap that traps food.
Dental implants are easy to clean.
Dental implants are very easy to clean and take care of because one cleans the dental implant just like a natural tooth. The patient brushes and flosses just like normal. Other tooth replacement options like bridges and partial dentures are difficult to clean and require special cleaning protocols.
Dental implants improve appearance.
Dental Implants can improve a patient’s smile. However, an incredible benefit of dental implants is that they preserve and stimulate bone. When a tooth is lost the bone around the missing tooth is no longer needed and starts to deteriorate. This causes bone and gum tissue collapse. The cheeks will collapse into the missing space and this causes premature wrinkles.
Dr. Nugent how long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to last for a lifetime. The early crude dental implants of the 1960 and 1970 are still going strong. Dental implant knowledge and techniques have been refined since the early days. Nothing in dentistry last longer than a dental implant. Patients brush and floss the dental implant just like a normal tooth. Patients still need to come in for routine dental cleanings and check-ups. However, if there is not any cleaning negligence from the patient, the odds are that the dental implant will last a lifetime.
Dental implants are helping to solve problems that many dental patients have had to suffer within the past. Patients have struggled with missing teeth, denture instability, decreased chewing forces and loss of facial structures. Now with modern dental implants Dr. Nugent can eliminate these problems.
About:
Dr. Michael Nugent is a leader in dental implant therapy in the region. He is trained to both surgically place and restore your dental implants. Experience matters. Come see how Dr. Nugent is helping patients restore their missing teeth. Dr. Nugent is located at 3421 Burke Rd Ste A, Pasadena, Texas 77504.
