Dental Implants & Crowns in Bryn Mawr, PA
You Deserve a Smile That Feels Like Yours Again
When you lose a tooth or several teeth, it has an impact beyond just aesthetics. Your eating habits, speech patterns, and the way you feel about yourself in public are also affected. The loss of teeth can slowly chip away at a person’s self-esteem in ways that can be hard to articulate.
However, there is good news! You do not need to live with missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, nor do you need to feel ashamed of your smile.
At Dillon Family Dentistry, we have assisted clients in Bryn Mawr, PA, with restoring their smile and quality of life for over 50 years. Our dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They aren’t a temporary fix; they are permanent solutions that will withstand the test of time.
If you would like to start feeling good about your smile, then we would love to assist you.
Bring Back the Smile You’ve Been Missing!
Expert tooth restoration solutions in Bryn Mawr are just a call away.
What Are Dental Implants and Why Are They the Gold Standard?
Modern dentistry provides patients with the best option available today for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants provide the most natural resemblance to actual teeth as they replace the entire tooth from root to crown, rather than just sitting on top of the gum line like typical bridges or dentures.
Here is how it works:
The first step is that a small titanium post will be surgically implanted into the patient’s jawbone. The titanium post acts as an artificial tooth root. It is not until the jawbones fuse to the titanium in a process called osseointegration that an artificial tooth root becomes a permanent and stable base for a dental replacement.
After the patient has properly healed, a crown, which is custom-made for the patient and closely resembles the size, shape, and color of his/her tooth, will be cemented to the post.
The end result is a very realistic and functional tooth replacement that the patient will be able to brush and floss along with their natural teeth and never be concerned with them, like all the other teeth in their mouth.
In terms of tooth replacement choices, for patients looking at their options in the Bryn Mawr region, dental implants have consistently proven to be superior alternatives to the other methods of replacing missing teeth, according to the data. The existing data shows that implants have been a reliable and long-lasting treatment for almost 35 years, with a 90-95% success rate.
The Real Cost of Doing Nothing
Most people think having only one missing tooth is okay because no one sees it, but what many do not know is that when you lose a tooth, the bone underneath the tooth will start to break down, and it never stops.
The bone starts to dissolve away with no root stimulation. The teeth next to the missing tooth will begin to move out of position. The structure that supports the cheeks and lips will begin to break down, causing the face to appear older than it is. More bone loss occurs the longer you wait, which may limit you in getting implants and may require future procedures like bone grafting. Moving quickly preserves your oral health and facial structure and makes treatment simpler and less expensive than if you delay.
Benefits of Dental Implants at Our Bryn Mawr Dental Clinic
Dental implants aren’t just cosmetically superior; they’re functionally superior in every measurable way. Here’s why so many patients at our dental clinic in Bryn Mawr choose implants over other tooth replacement options:
- They appear fully natural: Each crown is specially made to complement your neighbouring teeth in shade, shape, and size. Even up close, you would not be able to tell that you have received a dental implant because they look and feel like real teeth.
- They provide the same functionality: You will find that your implants do not move, slip, or make any noises when you chew or talk; they are securely attached to your jawbone and will not shift when you bite into a crisp apple, laugh with your friends, or make a presentation at work.
- They offer jaw bone protection: Dental implants are the only option available for replacing missing teeth that actually protect and maintain jaw bone density because they provide the same support as your natural tooth roots. When a person loses their teeth, they may eventually experience a loss of bone density or some other change to their facial structure. As a result, people who are missing teeth may develop a sunken or aged appearance after years of tooth loss.
- Less upkeep required: Implant care is no different from caring for your natural teeth; both require brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and having regular dental check-ups. You don’t have to deal with messy adhesive, nor do you have to soak overnight for the sake of cleaning.
- Permanent: Implants are superior to bridges (which need replacing about every 10-15 years) and dentures (which need refitting as the underlying bone changes) because an implant will typically last a lifetime when properly maintained.
- Can replace individual/multiple teeth: Single implants can be used to replace one missing tooth each. Bridges supported by implants can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, while complete dentures supported by implants provide a more stable feel and function than removable dentures.
- Promotes overall health: When you do not have teeth, it is harder to chew nutritious foods (e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein). If you restore your bite, you will be able to eat the types of food that your body needs to function correctly.
Crowns and Bridges When an Implant Isn't the Only Answer
While dental implants are often the best long-term solution for missing teeth, crowns and bridges remain highly effective options in the right clinical situations. At Dillon Family Dentistry, we offer a full range of restorative options, so you always receive the treatment that’s genuinely right for you, not just the most expensive option.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged, weakened, or misshapen tooth to restore its strength, function, and appearance. We use crowns in several situations:
- Teeth weakened by large cavities or extensive decay
- Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Severely worn teeth
- Cosmetic corrections for misaligned or discolored teeth
We offer multiple crown materials depending on your needs and preferences. For the most natural-looking results, we offer Captek and Empress II porcelain crowns, beautifully lifelike restorations that blend flawlessly with your surrounding teeth. For back teeth that endure heavier chewing forces, all-gold crowns offer exceptional durability and are gentler on opposing teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer a balance of aesthetics and strength for a variety of situations.
We always take the time to walk you through your options, explain the pros and cons of each material, and help you choose the crown that fits your smile, your bite, and your life.
Dental Bridges
An artificial tooth or teeth that fill the space created by missing teeth. Bridges are attached to natural teeth or dental implant crowns on either side of the gap where the artificial tooth sits. The tooth that fills the gap is called a pontic. Bridges are very durable, time-tested options for replacing lost teeth, especially when there are adjacent teeth needing crowns or already having restorations. Bridges are placed permanently without adhesives, so no removal, no adhesives, and no loss of function.
Like dental crowns, dental bridges are made from a variety of materials depending on how much you want aesthetic appearance versus strength; from all-natural materials to materials that are both strong and allow for an unnoticeable appearance. The choice of which material to use will be made during your X-ray exam based on your specific situation.
A dental bridge must fit perfectly. If not, a poorly fitting bridge can cause damage to your gums, your jaw, and/or your remaining teeth over time. At Dillon Family Dentistry, it’s not negotiable; we will provide a precision fit on all restorations that we place. Each restoration will be designed so that you will have comfort and health for many years to come.
Why Patients Across the Bryn Mawr Choose Dillon Family Dentistry for Dental Implants
There are plenty of dental practices in the Bryn Mawr area. So why do so many patients, including those who’ve been coming to us for decades, choose us for something as important as dental implants? Here’s what sets us apart:
- Half-Century Providing Service in the Bryn Mawr Area: We have served our community long enough that we have placed dental implants for both parents (over 50 years ago) and their children today. Building this level of trust does not come from advertising but through years and years of consistently providing high-quality professional care with integrity.
- Implant Specialist Dr. Dillon: Dr. Dillon is considered one of the foremost authorities on implant dentistry and has received a great deal of