Dental Implants for Missing Teeth in Adults
Dr. Spencer Rice may recommend dental implants for replacing missing teeth in adults. If you have lost a single tooth or have a few missing teeth, dental implants can help to restore optimal functioning of your mouth and also reduce the risk of bone loss.
Statistics tell us that by the age of 35 years, one out of every three adults has a missing tooth. One third of adults 74 years of age and older have lost all of their teeth. These are startling numbers and it is why prevention is key.
Causes of Missing Teeth in Adults
Your teeth can be lost for a number of different reasons, some of which are under our control while others are not. Many people lose their teeth due to excessive decay, injury to the mouth, gum disease, or from a combination of these factors. Dr. Rice can restore your smile with dental implants, a dental solution that looks, feels, and functions just like your real teeth.
About Dental Implants
The practice of recreating a missing tooth can be traced back to ancient Mayan and Egyptian civilizations. Archeologists found that our ancestors once used shells and flat rocks as dental implants.
The contemporary age of implant dentistry began in the 1980s and continues to improve with each decade. Modern day implants are similar to those created in the past, but are safer and made with sterile materials like porcelain and titanium. Implant dentists use titanium because this material mimics the tooth root connecting the tooth to the gums and jaw bone. Titanium is also known for its resistance to wear and tear. Porcelain allows for the fabrication of natural looking tooth structures.
Traditional forms of tooth replacement procedures, such as dentures, are not permanent and can have unwanted side effects. Dentures can shift around easily, make strange sounds when eating or talking, and require ongoing maintenance. Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth in adults.
Would you to learn more about dental implants in Burley, ID? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Rice to find out about treatment options for missing teeth in adults.