Dental implants are the number-one way to fix gaps in your smile. They offer long term health and aesthetic benefits that traditional dentures and dental bridges do not. Dr. Greg Reece is an implant specialist in Charlotte, NC that helps many patients with replacing lost and damaged teeth.
He has completed a 9-month implant training program and holds a Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantology. When you choose Dentistry of the Queen City for dental implants, you are choosing a dentist with the training and experience to deliver results that last.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dr. Reece always checks that you’re a good candidate for implants before treatment. If you’re healthy but have one or more missing teeth, Dr. Reece will recommend implants to secure your new teeth. Read more about the benefits of dental implants in our Charlotte, NC, dental office.
Prevents Bone Loss
This is the benefit that surprises patients most, and it is the most important one to understand. When a tooth is lost, the root that was anchored in your jawbone disappears with it. Your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to stay dense and healthy. Without that stimulation, the bone in that area begins to shrink. This process starts within the first year after tooth loss and continues over time.
Dentures and bridges sit on top of the gums and do not replace the root. They do nothing to stop this bone loss. A dental implant is different because the titanium post is placed directly into the jawbone, where it functions like a natural root. It provides the stimulation your bone needs to stay healthy and maintain its density.
Over several years, unchecked bone loss changes the shape of your jaw and your face. Patients who have worn dentures for many years often develop a sunken appearance around the mouth. An implant helps preserve your natural facial structure for years to come.
Protects Your Bite and Neighboring Teeth
A missing tooth does not just leave a gap. It sets off a chain reaction in your mouth that most patients do not expect.
When a tooth is gone, the teeth on either side of the gap begin to drift toward the open space. As they shift, your bite changes. An uneven bite puts extra pressure on certain teeth, which can lead to cracking, excessive wear, and jaw strain. Over time, these bite problems can contribute to TMJ disorders and chronic headaches.
Dr. Reece’s training through the Dawson Academy gives him a deep understanding of how the bite works as a whole system. When he places an implant restoration, he evaluates how it fits into your full bite, not just how it fills the gap. This extra step protects your other teeth and helps your implant last as long as possible.
Keeps Healthy Teeth Intact
A dental bridge can fill the space left by a missing tooth, but it comes with a cost. To support the bridge, the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap have to be filed down significantly. Once those teeth are reduced, they are permanently changed.
Dental implants do not require any changes to your healthy teeth. The implant stands on its own in the jawbone, leaving your natural teeth completely untouched. This is one of the most important reasons implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
You Can Eat a Greater Variety of Food
Dentures rest on the gums and can shift when you bite into hard or chewy foods. This limits what you can eat and can make meals uncomfortable or embarrassing. Many denture wearers find themselves avoiding foods they love.
Because an implant is anchored directly into the jawbone, it functions like a natural tooth. You can bite and chew with full force. Most patients report that eating with implants feels completely natural, and they are able to enjoy the same foods they did before losing their tooth.
Improved Speech
Loose dentures can slip while you are talking, causing slurred or muffled speech. This can make conversations feel stressful, especially in professional or social situations.
Implants are fixed firmly in place and do not move. Once you adjust to your restoration, speaking with implants feels no different from speaking with natural teeth.
A Permanent Solution
With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime. That makes implants one of the best long-term investments you can make in your oral health. Brushing and flossing daily and keeping up with your regular checkups every six months are all it takes to protect your implant for years to come.
When you compare the long-term costs of replacing dentures, repairing failing bridges, and treating the bone loss and bite problems that come with other options, implants often become the most cost-effective choice over time. They are also the most natural-feeling and natural-looking option available.
Schedule a Consultation with our Implant Dentist
If you are missing one or more teeth and want to understand whether dental implants are right for you, start with a consultation. Dr. Reece will evaluate your oral health, explain your options, and give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Dentistry of the Queen City serves patients throughout Charlotte and the surrounding area. Call us at 704-486-8911, or you can also request an appointment online. We serve Myers Park, Dilworth, Huntersville, and Cotswold.
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