Update in August 2025
Living with tooth loss can be frustrating! You may not be able to chew and eat food comfortably. You might also feel self-conscious about how the gaps in your smile impact its appearance. You're seeking a solution, but these days, there are lots of options available, and you're not sure which option is right for you.
While there are bridges, dentures, and dental implants to choose from, dentists today consider dental implants to be the tooth replacement of choice. Implants are unique because, of all the solutions available, they look, feel, and function most like a natural tooth.
Why Replacing a Missing Tooth Is Critical to Your Dental Health
When you lose a tooth, you also lose its root. Without a root to support, your jawbone begins to deteriorate, losing density. Bone loss can result in a lack of support for neighboring teeth, which may lead to further tooth loss. Bone loss can also impact your facial structure, giving your face a sunken appearance that prematurely ages you.
Without replacement, remaining teeth may shift into the open space left by a missing tooth. Tooth movement can result in bite misalignment, jaw joint (TMJ) dysfunction, or damage to teeth that are out of alignment.
What Is a Dental Implant?
An implant is a tiny screw-like post that is placed in your jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root. The implant is left to heal for three to six months, and since it is made of biocompatible titanium, it fuses over time with surrounding bone and tissue. After it heals, your dentist restores function and appearance by attaching a crown, bridge, or denture.
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, or we can use two to six implants to support a bridge or denture for patients who are missing multiple teeth.
Why Dental Implants Are a Good Choice
Dentists recommend tooth implants for many reasons, but here are the primary qualities that make them so desirable:
- Protects Bone Health —An implant stimulates the regeneration of bone in your jaw to keep it healthy and protect the integrity of neighboring teeth and your facial structure.
- Reliable Fixed Appliance — Unlike removable bridges or dentures, the implant post is rooted in your jawbone, so it is considered to be a permanent replacement.
- High Success Rate — Dental implants boast a 95 percent success rate, and millions of people today enjoy a healthier, more attractive smile as a result.
- Exceptional Longevity — Tooth implants can potentially last for a lifetime with the proper home care and consistent routine dental checkups.
- Offers a Natural Look and Feel — Implants are the closest option to a natural tooth since they replace both your tooth and root.
- Restores Bite Function — Since an implant functions like a natural tooth, you'll be able to chew and eat with ease.
- Excellent Versatility — Dental implants can replace a single tooth, or we can use two to six implants to support a denture or bridge.
Please Call Us to Arrange a Consultation
You probably have lots of questions about dental implants in Birmingham, AL, and the team at Cook Family Dentistry is here to help you get the answers you need.
Dr. Aaron Cook has had extensive advanced training in implant dentistry. He completes the entire process, from placement to restoration, here at our Birmingham dental office, without the need for you to see a specialist. You can get the advanced care you need in a familiar setting with professionals you know and trust.
Please call us today at (205) 326-6384 to arrange a commitment-free consultation with Dr. Cook. He will answer your questions about implants, explain all your options, and offer recommendations about which treatment option is right for you.