If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, the idea of dental implants like those available at Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove is probably very appealing. You may even have read things like this:

• Dental implants are as good as natural teeth!
• Implants can anchor dentures so they don’t slip around!
• Dental implants are far superior to dental bridges!

Those are bold claims. But people with implants understand that they aren’t exaggerations.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is inserted into the jaw, where it fuses with the bone. A single implant can support one artificial tooth, which looks and functions like a natural tooth. Several implants, usually four, can support a denture.

Why Are Implants Better Than Dental Bridges?

When you get a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth, tooth structure from the neighboring or ‘abutment’ teeth is removed. This is so the bridge can be securely mounted to the adjacent teeth.

Think about that. It compromises the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth. That’s why dental bridges are often called a three-tooth solution to a one-tooth problem.

This isn’t necessary with a dental implant.

Dental Bridges Are More Susceptible to Tooth Decay

It can be difficult to keep the area under a dental bridge clean. Food bits accumulate in the small spaces. This creates plaque buildup. Tooth decay under dental bridges is a common problem.

Remember, these teeth have been adapted to hold the dental bridge. If decay develops, the bridge has to be removed. The decayed teeth are filled or crowned. If the decay is severe, the teeth may need root canals.

Dental Bridges and Dentures Don’t Stimulate Bone Growth

When a tooth is extracted, the root is removed. This reduces blood circulation in the bone at the extraction site. Tooth roots help keep your jawbone healthy. When a root is no longer there, the bone recedes.

Since dental bridges and dentures don’t replace tooth roots, they can’t safeguard your bone structure. But a dental implant acts as a replacement root, and prevents bone recession.

Dental implants from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove are the ideal replacement for missing teeth. We offer our patients a full range of restorative dentistry, and other services. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

Are you missing one or more of your teeth? At least three million Americans have replaced a missing tooth with a dental implant, and that number grows each year. At Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, we restore and beautify smiles with these dental marvels.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is implanted into your jaw. An artificial tooth goes on top of the post.

One of the things that make dental implants so popular is that they blend in so easily with the patient’s remaining teeth. They look and function like natural teeth, and are therefore an excellent, long-term option.

Another benefit of dental implants is that they prevent bone recession, which is common in people who have lost teeth. The titanium post goes where the tooth root used to be, which strengthens the bone.

For patients missing all of their teeth, implants can be used to anchor dentures, providing a much firmer, more secure fit. Many patients report newfound confidence in  themselves, after years of embarrassment caused by missing teeth.

To find out more about dental implants from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove, please schedule an appointment. We also provide family dentistry, and many other services. Call our office today!

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369

This post from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove focuses on missing teeth and bone health.

Our teeth have many critical functions. We need them to chew our food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to pull back. This, in turn, causes our facial muscles to sink in and collapse.

Bone Metabolism

We sometimes think of bone as a solid mass, unlike the softer tissues in our body. In reality, below the seemingly rock-hard surface, bone tissue is full of small holes, kind of like a sponge. In the interior bone tissue, the bone is constantly regenerating itself. This indispensable process is sometimes called “bone metabolism.” In the jaw bone, the movement of the teeth stimulates this process of rebuilding. When the tooth is gone, the bone starts to shrink as blood flow is reduced.

People with missing teeth not only have an unsightly gap in their smile, they begin to look older because of the bone recession and eventual facial sagging.  It is not simply an issue of attractiveness—it poses serious health hazards. It may become difficult to chew food, making it harder to get correct nutrition. Mental health can also be impacted when a patient with missing teeth loses confidence or withdraws from social situations because they are uncomfortable with their smile.

Dental Implants Can Prevent Bone Recession

Modern dentistry to the rescue! Dental implant technology provides a tooth restoration solution that preserves healthy bone metabolism while providing near-normal tooth function. For people missing many (or all) of their teeth, it may not be possible to replace every single tooth with a permanent tooth implant. In many of these cases, dental implants can be used to provide an anchor for a partial denture.

If you are missing teeth, dental implants from Arbor Lakes Dental in Maple Grove may be just what you’ve been looking for. We also provide family dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Arbor Lakes Dental – Jamie L. Sledd, DDS:

763-494-4443

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

12000 Elm Creek Blvd N Ste 230
Maple Grove, Minnesota
55369