What kind of smile do you offer when greeting an old friend? Is it a warm but modest smile? Or is yours a big toothy grin? Perhaps you offer a wide, open-mouthed, laugh-out-loud hello? Whatever kind of smile you choose to flash, it is genuinely your own, your own personal calling card. And as a top rated periodontist serving Philadelphia, Dr. Barry Levin wants to make sure your signature smile always looks its best.

If you’ve ever lost a tooth (or more than one) due to trauma or disease, especially in the front of your mouth, you know that low feeling of not being able to look your very best. But the loss of teeth isn’t just a cosmetic concern. The roots of healthy teeth naturally stimulate the jawbone below or above them keeping it healthy as well. Without those teeth, the jawbone risks deterioration. Missing teeth also often results in the remaining teeth around them shifting to fill the empty spaces. This can cause difficulties with proper speech, not to mention with biting and chewing food. No doubt about it, missing teeth should not be ignored!

What Are Dental Implants?

Simply put, dental implants are a permanent solution for a problem with missing teeth. You can get an implant to replace a single tooth or multiple missing teeth without disturbing the remaining natural teeth around them. You can also get dental implants to replace your entire upper or lower set of teeth.

Dental implants are small medical-grade screws made from titanium, which serve as a replacement for the natural roots of teeth. When inserted into the jaw, implants begin to stimulate the bone and, in a process called osseointegration, actually become part of the jaw creating stable and permanent anchors for replacement teeth.

Once dental implants are firmly anchored, replacement teeth (referred to as crowns) are attached to them. These crowns are customized to the proper size, shape and color to match your natural teeth so that no one should be able to tell the difference between them. If cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime.

If you’re considering dental implants, know that as a board certified dental implant specialist and top rated periodontist serving Philadelphia, you can trust you’ll be in the very best of hands with Dr. Barry Levin.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are considering getting dental implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth, talk to your dental provider first. If you are in generally good health, dental implants may be a good option for you. So don’t put off repairing that signature smile of yours! Call Dr. Barry Levin today, your top rated periodontist serving Philadelphia.