Implants are the Superior Dental Prosthetic

If you are missing a tooth or need one replaced, the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia’s Center City is your place for implants. While our Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. David Azizyan are highly skilled in providing a number of prosthetic tooth replacements, implants stand out by repairing some of the damage to the patient’s facial structure and by allowing them to return to a normal lifestyle.

Endosteal implants are called that because they are inserted into the endosteum, a thin layer inside bones. Dental crowns, including bridges, replace the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line, and in some cases, this is sufficient. But the tooth roots play an important part in strengthening the jaw bone and providing support to the surrounding teeth. When a tooth root is diseased or has to be removed, the jaw bone begins losing mass, weakening the other teeth. Crowns alone cannot fix this, but an implant inserted into the jaw bone stimulates the growth of new bone tissue. Once the implant and jaw bone have fused together through a process called osseointegration, the crown supported by the implant will be stable and the surrounding teeth will be at less risk of shifting and becoming loose.

An implant looks like a small metal screw and is attached to the jaw bone through a surgical incision. Osseointegration will usually take between six to twelve weeks. While recovering, the patient will wear a temporary artificial crown to enable them to chew and keep the gap between their teeth open for the permanent crown. Once the implant and bone are fused together, another incision will be made and an abutment will be put on top of the implant. The permanent crown is made in a dental laboratory from an impression of the patient’s mouth. It will be durable and the same color as the patient’s natural teeth.

There are several advantages to having an implant. The prosthetic is long-lasting and often does not need to be replaced for more than ten years. The reinforcement of the jaw bone not only strengthens the other teeth, it also helps the patient’s face to retain its shape, preventing lop-sided, withered appearance. Unlike dentures, implants can be cleaned in the same way as natural teeth, with regular brushing and flossing. Artificial teeth cannot be whitened, but at our cosmetically-focused dental center, we take pride in helping patients to select shading which is pleasing to them (and we can remove stains from their natural teeth).  Implants are one of the surgical procedures with the highest success rate, so if you need a second chance with your oral health, they’re one of the best options to consider.

Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. David Azizyan operate the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, conveniently located downtown at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit us online at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center.

Dental Bridges

Missing teeth need replacements for the health of your mouth, the ability to chew, speak, and much more. One of the popular options we have here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA is the dental bridge.

A bridge works by using the two teeth adjacent to the open space to fit a new tooth in between them. There are also bridges available for when a tooth only has one adjacent tooth because it is missing on the end of your upper or lower set of teeth.

To place a bridge, first, we prepare the two adjacent teeth so that crowns can fit on top of them. This involves reshaping them. We then take impressions so a dental laboratory can create the bridge. The bridge itself consists of the two crowns with a full replacement tooth in the middle, called a pontic. The patient will wear a temporary bridge while the permanent bridge is being created. A couple of weeks later, the custom bridge is bonded into place. The patient now has a natural-looking and durable solution for a missing tooth.

Replacing missing teeth helps keep good speech, chewing ability, and a sturdy jawline. It also helps you flash your best smile!

If you want to learn more about dental bridges, contact Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center by giving our Philadelphia, PA office a call or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. 

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

When a tooth goes missing, the rest of the mouth begins to change. In order to keep the health of your mouth and jaw, the tooth must be replaced as soon as possible. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we are informing our patients at our Philadelphia, PA dental practice why it is so important to replace missing teeth.

When a tooth goes missing, the other teeth along that jaw line will begin to shift towards the open space. This creates spacing in the teeth that may allow injury to the gums and places for bacteria to hide. It can also create noticeable spaces in your smile.

When a tooth is not replaced quickly after it goes missing, the jawbone in the area begins to deteriorate. It has nothing holding it in its place anymore, so the bone disintegrates along with the gum tissue. This is why it is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more complications there will be with replacement.

For tooth replacement options here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we offer dentures, bridges, and dental implants. We also have mini dental implants available for smaller spaces or more stable bases for dentures.

Do not let a missing tooth affect your oral health. To schedule a tooth replacement consultation in our Philadelphia, PA office, call us at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.