Implants: the healthier alternative to bridges and dentures... and a central focus of Dr. Miller.
Replacing a lost tooth restores our ability to chew food and display an attractive smile. It also prevents two serious dental health problems. One is the tendency for remaining teeth to drift out of place. The second is the loss of jawbone in the area of the missing tooth.
The problem with dentures. Bridges and removable dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums to connect artificial teeth to the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth. But continuous shrinkage of the jawbone alters the fit of the bridge or denture. Dentures end up slipping or rocking. Bridges may develop more space beneath making them unattractive. Moreover, placement of a bridge requires the teeth on either side of a missing tooth to be ground down. This raises the risk for developing future problems, because while bridges prevent tooth drift, they fail to prevent loss of bone in the area of the missing tooth. Also, dentures frequently slip and slide causing gum irritation.
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The implant solution. Dr. Miller often advises implants—artificial teeth anchored to the underlying bone. This “preventive-prosthodontics” approach keeps a “one-tooth problem” from becoming a “many teeth problem” requiring later procedures.
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You enjoy considerable advantages, including:
- Improved appearance: implants slow or stop jawbone shrinkage, which makes faces look older.
- Renewed confidence and convenience: you regain nearly all the capabilities of your natural teeth and eliminate the embarrassment of removing dentures for cleaning.
- Clearer speech: ill-fitting dentures create tension in facial muscles, which produces clicking noises and slurred speech.
Implant Consultations
We even provide free consultations and second opinions to help you get the right treatment in the right way.