After you've lost some or all of your teeth, dental implants can help give you a smile to take pride in once again. Dental implants are praised for their longevity--depending on your health and hygiene habits, they can last from several decades up to a lifetime. For those in generally good health, implants are well worth considering to support a healthy smile for life. Learn more here from your Greensboro, 
NC dentist, Dr. Michelle Mottinger.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. They are then covered with crowns or dentures to complete your tooth restoration. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple adjacent teeth.
Implants are preferable to dentures alone, and to leaving empty spaces in your mouth. This is because they replace the tooth root, not just the visible portion of the tooth. When the tooth root is missing, the underlying bone begins to break down from lack of stimulation. This leads to a collapsed or sunken facial appearance and can put your other teeth at risk. Implants maintain healthy bone structure for the long term, making it the top tooth replacement choice.
Who Should Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are ideal for most people who are missing teeth, in good health overall, and committed to maintaining dental health at home and with regular professional cleanings.
Since implants are a surgical procedure, candidates must be in a generally healthy state to handle the surgery safely. There are risk factors that may make dental implants dangerous or ineffective. A few of the most common ones include:
- Uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders
- Smoking
- Existing bone loss in the jaw
- Periodontal disease
- Heart conditions
- Cancer
While some conditions may prevent you from receiving dental implants altogether, other conditions can be treated to make you a good candidate in the future. Dr. Mottinger will conduct a thorough health history to determine whether implants are a good choice for you.
Greensboro, NC Dental Implants
If you're missing teeth and looking for the best way to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile, dental implants should be one of your top choices to consider. For a dental implant consultation in Greensboro, NC, call Dr. Michelle Mottinger's office at (336) 375-1825 or request your appointment now.