When most people think of getting dental implants, the mind conjures up the image of some elderly person clumsily installing a clunky set of plastic teeth into their mouth, or even old George Washington’s mythical wooden dentures! Because of this decidedly unpleasant mental picture, a lot of people in need of dental work consider dental implants to be a worst-case scenario for their health care. It’s time to leave that way of thinking in the past. Today, patients requiring restorative dentistry have an array of choices for replacing ailing teeth.

Crowns

One of the more common types of dental implants Happy Valley is the crown. A crown is simply a porcelain covering placed over the visible part of an existing but damaged tooth. Crowns can essentially bring a ruined tooth back to life by restoring its original size, strength, and functionality. Far from ruining the beauty of your smile, crowns these days can be personally tailored to look even better than the real thing. A crown implant is also tough and can last up to 15 years with proper care.

Single Tooth Implants

Single tooth implants are, as the name implies, the go-to option for someone in otherwise good dental health who has a serious problem with one specific tooth. A common misconception is that full tooth implants will neither look nor feel like natural teeth. With modern material technology, nothing could be further from the truth. Over the course of only a few visits to the dentist’s office, a replacement tooth can be crafted to such exacting precision that nobody but the owner will know that it’s not the real thing.

Implant Bridges

When a patient has several teeth that are either missing or have to be removed, an implant bridge is the most common solution. This involves dental implants placed into the jawbone and porcelain replacement teeth which are then attached to those implanted posts. Not only can bridges preserve the jawbone, but they can also make future dental issues less likely. Removable bridges can be taken out by the owner, while fixed bridges can be left in worry-free.