Contact Us Your teeth play an important role in your oral health and function and, by extension, in your quality of life and general well-being. If you have lost teeth for any reason, you risk deterioration of your jawbone, the loss of additional teeth and a number of other health problems. Here at Gorelik Holistic Dentistry, we provide dental implants to replace your missing teeth and help you regain your smile and health.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic tooth replacements. Unlike treatments such as bridges and dentures, implants replace both the roots and crowns of your teeth to fully restore your oral health and function as well as your smile. Implants consist of two main parts: the implant post, which replaces the roots of your teeth, and the implant restoration, which replaces the crowns of your missing teeth. Implant posts are surgically inserted into your jawbone, where they integrate with your bone and perform the same functions as your natural teeth, stimulating your supporting bone to keep it healthy and ensuring a stable foundation for your smile. Implant restorations cap the posts and may consist of a single crown, a bridge, or a complete or partial denture depending on your needs.
What are the benefits of metal-free implants?
Traditionally, dental implants are made from titanium. However, as part of our commitment to restoring your smile and health in the most natural and holistic way possible, our practice offers only metal-free dental implants. Titanium implants are often mixed with small amounts of other metals, which can cause harmful reactions and may even react negatively to other metal restorations in your mouth. Metal-free implants are just as strong and durable as traditional implants, with the added benefit of being completely biocompatible and aesthetic. Benefits of metal-free implants include:
- Improved oral health
- Easier biting and chewing
- Increased confidence in your smile and oral function
- Durability
- A natural-looking final result
- Stable gingival results
- Greater convenience in your overall treatment plan
How do implants improve your oral health?
In addition to restoring your smile and your ability to chew and speak normally, implants also promote better long-term oral health and function. Implants look, feel and function exactly like your natural teeth, including stimulating your supporting bone to keep it strong and healthy. This gives your teeth and implants a stable foundation and reduces the likelihood that your implants will fail or that you will lose additional teeth.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Anyone who has lost teeth is a candidate for implant dentistry, and as long as your mouth is healthy, you should be able to receive implants without difficulty. If you have gum disease, tooth decay, reduced supporting bone tissue or another pre-existing condition, our dentist will provide treatment for those conditions before you can receive dental implants. Dr. Julia Gorelik will examine your teeth and mouth and discuss your overall health with you to determine if additional care is needed prior to your implant treatment.
How long do implants last?
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. However, in order to maintain your implants, you will need to care for them the same way that you would your original teeth — with regular brushing and flossing as well as routine dental visits to receive preventive care. Please remember that while your implant may remain firmly anchored, you may need to replace the restoration atop it if it breaks or wears out.
We invite you to contact us at 704-553-1627 to find out more about implant dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, and schedule your consultation with our experienced dentist.