Updated in August 2025
Are you missing one or multiple teeth? You're not alone; millions of Americans find themselves in the same situation.
At Cook Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we recommend restoring your tooth as soon as you can. Aside from the visible negative aspects (trouble chewing, difficulty speaking, and an altered appearance), there are oral health issues to be considered. Here's what you should know.
Why Is Tooth Replacement Important?
Losing a tooth may not seem like a big deal at first, especially if it's in the back of your mouth and not visible. However, tooth loss comes with consequences to your oral health that should be considered, such as:
- Jaw Joint (TMJ) Function — Tooth loss can result in bite misalignment that contributes to a painful jaw joint disorder known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
- Bone Loss — Without a root to support, your jawbone begins to lose density and slowly deteriorates over time.
- Tooth Shifting — Without a tooth replacement, neighboring teeth move into the open space left by a missing tooth, which results in bite and tooth misalignment. Bite and tooth misalignment make you more susceptible to developing problems like TMD or causing damage to misaligned teeth.
- Facial Structure — The bone loss that accompanies tooth loss can weaken your facial structure, causing it to appear sunken and making you look older than you are.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are comprised of three integral parts: the implant, abutment, and restoration. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth and are beautiful restorations. No one will ever know you've had a tooth replacement procedure! Dr. Cook has the skills and expertise to complete implant dentistry from start to finish at our Birmingham dental office, ensuring you get to work with the team you already know and trust throughout the process.
Dental implants are a thin, biocompatible titanium post that is topped by a dental crown. Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants don't just rest on top of the gumline. Instead, we surgically place them into the jawbone, where they fuse and integrate with the bone, becoming your new tooth root. This process takes three to six months to complete, and then your implant is ready to support your new restoration.
If you're replacing a single tooth, your restoration is typically a custom porcelain crown that Dr. Cook designs to blend seamlessly into your smile. If you're replacing multiple teeth, Dr. Cook may use two to six implants, which can support dental bridges or a denture.
The Benefits of Dental Implants in Birmingham
Dental implants provide several benefits over removable tooth replacement options that our patients appreciate:
- Natural look and feel — Dental implants complement your smile and look and feel just like a natural tooth.
- Improved function — Your restored tooth ensures that you can chew and eat with ease.
- Excellent longevity — Tooth implants can last a lifetime with the proper home care and routine dental checkups.
- Bite stability — Replacing a tooth ensures you preserve proper bite alignment for optimal chewing function.
- Bone protection — An implant replaces a root, which keeps your jawbone healthy, stimulated, and protects against bone deterioration.
- Wise long-term investment — Because of their excellent longevity, dental implants are a smart investment for many patients.
Call to Find out More about Dental Implants
If you're considering tooth replacement, we would love to talk with you! Contact us at (205) 326-6384 to learn how we can help you reclaim your smile with tooth replacement.