Dental Implants Fort Smith AR![]() Getting dental implants isn’t a complicated process at all, and you’ll get long-lasting results. Modern dentistry allows us to place your implants efficiently, with no complications and without making you uncomfortable. You’ll have natural-looking teeth in no time and will keep your mouth healthy and strong. What’s in A Dental Implant?Just like a tooth, a dental implant has three main parts that resemble each of the tooth’s elements. So while a tooth has a crown and a root, dental implants have the implant per se, an abutment, and the crown. Implants are small pieces made out of titanium that closely mimic the size and shape of a root. It’s located underneath the gums, just like a root and it serves as a support base for the top part of the implanted tooth. The abutment is the only part that you won’t find directly on a natural tooth, but it’s the piece that helps connect the implant and the crown that will lie on top of it. It will be located above the gums and acts as the walls or columns to hold the exterior crown. Finally, we have the dental crown, which is strong yet made from aesthetic-looking materials to resemble a natural tooth. They’re typically made out of porcelain since it’s the most similar to a real crown. It’s also above the gums since it’s the visible portion of your teeth and it acts as a cover for the abutment. The Importance of Dental ImplantsHave you noticed that when you have a shelf full of books and you remove one without putting something else in its place, the other books tip over and start moving around? A similar thing happens when one of your teeth is removed without being replaced. All the teeth left behind can easily move around and start collapsing into each other. Moreover, when your teeth start moving out of place, the risk for problems such as periodontal or gum disease, cavities, and even bone loss increase. Teeth moving around can also affect your jaw joints and prematurely damage your remaining teeth. Benefits of Dental ImplantsYour smile will look the same or even better than before. Dental implants look and feel just like your natural teeth so they’re a great, long-lasting solution that can be easily maintained at home. If you’re looking to get dentures or a dental bridge, implants can make them much more secure. Moreover, since they replace the space left behind by a removed tooth, they help keep other teeth from moving out of their place. This helps keep your facial shape, which can be affected when you lose a tooth. For more information about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, call the experienced professionals here at Harper Dental at (479) 431-0280 today! |