Implant Dentistry: the Gold Standard for Restoring Missing Teeth, says Mountain View Dental Implant Expert

Suffering from missing teeth is no joke, either aesthetically or in terms of overall health. Without a tooth and its root in place, the gap formed slowly begins to reabsorb any remaining bone material, pulling nearby teeth toward the space and marring the alignment of the individual’s teeth. To make matters worse, the gap left when an entire tooth disappears lacks any muscle attachment, causing sagging and wrinkling in the cheek area above the missing tooth.

Missing teeth can be replaced with bridges, dentures, or dental implants – all of which have a place in dental treatment. Fixed bridges and removable dentures cost less than dental implants, but they are not always the best solution. The first thing most of us think of is that removable dentures can slip or cause embarrassing sounds while the wearer is eating or speaking. Of even greater concern, placement of fixed bridges often requires the partial cutting of the healthy teeth next to them; removable dentures may lead to bone loss in the area where the tooth or teeth are missing; and recurrent decay, gum disease and other factors can lead to the failure of fixed bridgework. For these reasons, bridges and dentures usually need to be replaced every 7 to 15 years, compared to an average 25-year life span for dental implants.

Dental implants require surgery, and carry a higher initial cost than fixed bridges and removable dentures, but can restore the mouth very closely to its natural state. However, the procedure must be performed by a highly skilled, certified dental professional, says Mountain View cosmetic dentist Dr. Patrick F. McEvoy, who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. Dr. McEvoy uses breakthrough keyhole surgery techniques and cutting edge restoration equipment to reduce the discomfort and time required for the dental implant procedure. The result is a healthy, permanent and natural smile.

An article posted on the Chicago Tribune website last October 29, 2014 relates the poignant story of 77-year-old John Spinello, the inventor of ‘Operation’, a beloved, medical-themed board game, who needed new teeth but could not afford dental implants. Fans of his game made it possible for him to receive the best possible replacement.

Few beyond his family knew about [Spinello’s] contribution to gaming history until Tim Walsh, a Florida-based author and game inventor, discovered Spinello's story while writing a book, "The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys," published in 2004.

After learning of Spinello's woes, Walsh and another game inventor, Peggy Brown, of Milwaukee, launched a fundraiser last week on the crowdfunding website CrowdRise in hopes of raising $25,000 for Spinello, who needs dental implants.

… the effort raised more than $21,000. And Hasbro, the company that now owns the rights to Operation, offered Wednesday to buy the metal prototype that Spinello built more than 50 years ago. Company officials said they wanted to display the original in Hasbro's global headquarters in Pawtucket, R.I.

Whether you live in Mountain View, California or Bloomingdale, Illinois, like Spinello, dental implants are the gold standard for restoring missing teeth. By opting for implants, patients can avoid a laundry list of possible dental complications. If you, too, want a dental restoration treatment, then visit a local board-certified implantologist, such as Patrick F. McEvoy, DDS.

(Source: 'Operation' inventor needs fundraiser for his own operation, chicagotribune.com, Oct. 29, 2014)