According to statistics, tooth loss is an evitable part of getting older. “It doesn’t have to be but unfortunately, most people aren’t exceptionally good about looking after their teeth and as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, repeat dental work and failed root canal therapy or even accidental physical trauma, it is common for one to experience the loss of one or more of their original adult teeth,” say East Rutherford dental implants specialists. “This is especially the case as

one enters into their later years. Tooth loss is exceptionally common and far more of a problem than most are aware.” Statistics of Tooth Loss in the United States According to the Surgeon’s General Report, over 20 million Americans are completely edentulous and don’t have a single natural tooth left. A further 100 million are missing a substantial portion of their dentition (between 11 and 15 of their teeth). The good news is that there is a solution to tooth loss. Aside from treating the underlying problem, which is usually periodontitis or gum disease, dental implants offer an excellent substitute for missing teeth and are as close in comfort, function and appearance as is possible with today’s technology. In this four-part article series, we shall be taking a very close look at just what these benefits are and why New Jersey patients should choose dental implants over the conventional approaches to teeth replacement, such as removable

dentures (full arch restoration) and traditional bridges (single tooth replacement). We’ll begin by taking a closer look at what dental implants are and how they are used to provide patients with a new tooth or a complete set of new teeth. What Are Dental Implants and How Do They Work? “Dental implants look like tiny, slim screws, which are placed in the jawbone where they can be used to provide a strong platform for either a single replacement dental crown or an entire prosthetic arch of teeth,” explain East Rutherford dental implant specialists. “In other words, dental implants can be used to replace any number and configuration of missing teeth.” The Aesthetic Benefits of Dental Implants The dental implants themselves are not visible above the gums, especially once the overlying appliance (crown or bridge) has been attached. Because they are “rooted” in the jawbone, they function similar to natural tooth roots, which not only enables patients to comfortable enjoy a much wider variety of tough, crunchy foods, but also sustains the health of the surrounding bone tissue. This will be fully explained in the subsequent installments of this article series, but for now, suffice it to say that the maintenance of a healthy jawbone promotes the longevity of one’s youthful facial contours. The crown or bridge supported by dental implants is carefully fabricated to match the color, size and shape of the neighboring teeth (if any are present) as well as the underlying gums and jawbone. Since every patient is different, every single restoration is custom made. This is done to ensure as natural and aesthetically pleasing a visual result as possible, giving patients a smile they can feel confident about and be proud of. Stay Tuned for Part 2… To find out why NJ dental implants specialists almost always recommend implants over conventional bridges for the replacement of single missing teeth, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.