Thanks to modern advancements in tooth replacement, dental implants offer patients the opportunity to replace lost or damaged teeth with a solution that feels, looks, and acts like a natural tooth. Dental implants can replace missing teeth and be a long-term solution you need to enhance your oral health and improve your smile. However, since this restorative dentistry option is an investment for your oral health and patients are curious about the upkeep and maintenance, many wonder can dental implants get cavities? Read on to learn more from Dr. Kevin Boulard and the team at Something To Smile About in Merrimack, NH, or contact our office to schedule a dental implant consultation today.
Replace missing teeth with dental implants
Losing a tooth changes a person’s smile and goes beyond their appearance. When a tooth is lost, the ability to chew and speak changes. Surrounding teeth may also begin to migrate into the open space, causing bite alignment changes and a person’s self-confidence to diminish. Choosing dental implants from an experienced dentist, like Dr. Boulard at Something To Smile About, offers Merrimack, NH patients the chance to put tooth loss behind them as well as the challenges that come with missing teeth. Dental implants are the closest replication to natural teeth over any other replacement option. They are inserted in the jawbone and made of a synthetic material that closely mimics the structure and visible portion. Single dental implants take the place of individual teeth extracted or lost, while implant bridges can restore a person’s smile when several teeth go missing.
What causes cavities?
Cavities, also called dental caries, are the result of untreated tooth decay. Over time, this tooth decay can cause “pits” or holes in the tooth enamel and, in some cases, all the way to the root. These permanently damaged areas in the hard surfaces of your teeth are caused by a combination of factors, such as bacteria in your mouth, sipping sugary drinks, frequent snacking, and inadequate oral hygiene. There is no way to cure a cavity once it has reached the tooth’s inner dentin layer. To remove a cavity and keep it from spreading, Dr. Boulard and the dedicated team at Something To Smile About will need to remove the damaged area by performing a filling procedure. The tooth decay portion is extracted from the tooth, then cleaned and prepared for a filling material where the cavity once resided.
Can dental implants get cavities?
Implant dentistry is a durable, long-term tooth restoration option to replace front or back teeth. If you recently learned you might need a dental crown, you may be curious about how it works to protect, cover, and reinforce your missing or damaged tooth. A dental crown is a customized prosthetic “cover” or hollow cap made of porcelain or composite resin material that fits over a portion of a person’s natural tooth or small titanium post with a dental implant.
Proper oral hygiene is essential to ensure your dental implant will be a long-term solution. Even though cavities occur when bacteria, tartar, and plaque break down the enamel, dental implants are synthetic and not susceptible to tooth decay damage that can inflict natural teeth. However, proper oral hygiene is still crucial to protect your investment. Brushing and flossing regularly, along with regular visits to the dentist, prevents plaque buildup between your dental implant and surrounding permanent teeth. Plaque buildup can cause tooth decay to still form on your natural teeth adjacent to your dental implant.
Dental implants near me, and life after tooth loss
Dental implants offer Merrimack, NH patients the ability to enjoy once again the freedom to chew, laugh, smile, and speak with confidence and ease. Unlike traditional replacement options, or conventional dentures, implants do not shift, rock, move, or slip and allow patients to enjoy life without any restrictions. With proper oral hygiene, dental implants can last several years. Dr. Kevin Boulard is excited to bring his expertise and the advantages of dental implants to his patients. To learn more about this restorative dental treatment, contact one of our dedicated team members at Something To Smile About and schedule a consultation with Dr. Boulard today.