CHICAGO – October 22, 1999 – “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” is an amusing song heard during the holiday season, but for anyone who has lost a tooth due to trauma, injury or periodontal disease, new teeth may actually be at the top of their wish list. The good news is, dental implants are a solution to tooth loss that offers comfort and confidence.
“Dental implants are a unique gift idea because they look and feel like real teeth and will be appreciated for years,” said Dr. Jack Caton, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Dental implants are permanent tooth replacements that look and feel so much like natural teeth, patients usually forget they’re not.”
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Since the dental implant integrates into the structure of the bone, it prevents the bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
“Dental implants not only create a winning smile, but more importantly have significant functional benefits to overall good health,” said Caton. “People with dentures or loose and missing teeth have restricted diets since biting into fresh fruits and vegetables is often not only difficult, but also painful. Dental implants are so secure that the patient will never give a second thought when biting into a crisp apple.”
Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss for Americans. Periodontal disease is a bacterial gum infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease can be a silent disease, but oftentimes it does come with warning signs.
Warning signs of periodontal disease may include:
- persistent bad breath
- gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
- red, swollen and bleeding gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- loose or separating teeth
- pus between the gum and tooth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Dental implants will require the same type of care as your own teeth. It is important to keep the dental implant clean with at-home oral care and regular dental visits. “After treatment, the periodontist will work closely with the patient and dentist to develop the best care plan for the patient’s treatment goals,” says Caton.
A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP’s Web site at www.perio.org.
About the AAP
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for
