Losing a tooth can be a traumatic shift in anyone's life. It affects the way you look, but it can also have a negative impact on how you speak, what you can eat, and your self-confidence. Did you know that tooth loss can lead to further tooth loss? When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone surrounding the tooth dissolves because there's no longer a tooth root to anchor it in place. Over time, adjacent teeth will shift towards the gap, affecting your bite and damaging other teeth. Between receding bone and moving teeth, tooth loss is a common occurrence.
When a person loses several teeth, their facial structure may sink or collapse because the jaw deteriorates over time. You may have seen facial sagging in individuals with missing teeth; this can prematurely age someone and alter their appearance and their ability to speak clearly.
Functioning like a replacement tooth root, dental implants fuse or bond with the bone to form a firm and stable foundation for replacement teeth that function, feel, and look just like natural teeth. Ultimately, dental implants restore the beauty and comfort of your natural smile.
If you are near Wilmington, DE and are considering a permanent tooth replacement procedure, please call ?Justison and Gladnick Family Dentistry today at (302) 994-2660 to schedule your dental implant consultation.
Please watch our helpful video below for more information about dental implants.
Dental implants are a natural-looking, permanent tooth replacement option for patients near Wilmington, DE dealing with missing teeth. A dental implant is a thin titanium post that your dentist anchors to your jaw bone to act as a tooth root. Unlike dentures, you will never have to worry about your dental implant slipping or falling out. For patients who are missing multiple teeth, Dr. Gladnick may recommend an implant-supported bridge without altering neighboring teeth.
Dental implants are made out of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. The titanium fuses with your bone cells, so your body or natural tissue will not reject it. The material is incredibly durable, so you can expect to keep your implants for life. If your dental crown ever breaks or cracks, your dentist can easily replace the crown and restore your smile to its optimal appearance and function. Because of the sturdiness of the implant material, you never have to worry about bite capacity—feel free to eat all your favorite foods again!
Dental implants have several benefits, namely that they look and function just like your natural teeth. The root structure of the dental implant coheres to the jaw bone. The titanium post acts as a foundation for the dental crown that restores the tooth. Neither the dental implant nor the dental crown will ever decay, and they will always stay securely in place.
Your dentist in Wilmington can use dental implants to secure dentures, giving you a consistently dependable perfect fit that you can rely on. Another benefit of dental implants is your neighboring teeth don't require any alteration in the restoration process, which is necessary for dental bridges. Best of all, dental implants prevent the bone loss that accompanies tooth loss, and they stimulate bone growth.
Our Wilmington patients enjoy the beautiful, natural look and feel of dental implants. We love how dental implants help heal the damage that tooth loss can inflict on surrounding structures.
It's no secret that dental implants are considered the gold standard in tooth replacement. Curious why? Here are three big reasons!
The advantage of getting an implant is that you are able to floss between your teeth, just as you do with your own teeth. An implant will also help to preserve the bone supporting the tooth. The other advantage is that the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will not have to be prepared as they would to accept the bridge.
However, this is not a good option for everyone. Since implants require surgery, patients seeking implants must be in good overall health and have healthy gums. It’s also necessary for you to have enough bone structure to support the implant. When you see the dentist, you can be fully evaluated to see which option is best for you.
Many patients assume that losing a back molar isn’t a big deal since it’s not visible when smiling. However, even one missing tooth can have a major impact on your oral health, comfort, and long-term well-being.
When a back tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth often shift into the gap, leading to bite problems, jaw strain, and uneven tooth wear. Without chewing support in that area, you may avoid certain foods, affecting nutrition and digestion. Over time, bone loss can occur in the jaw where the tooth once was, weakening your dental foundation and even changing your facial appearance.
At Justison & Gladnick Family Dentistry, we offer several advanced restorative treatments tailored to all needs:
If you’re in Wilmington and looking for an experienced, top-quality dental team to empathetically guide you through the post-tooth loss restorative process, contact Dr. Jason Justison and the excellent Justison & Gladnick Family Dentistry team to schedule a consultation.
YES!! Dental implants are now considered the standard of care for missing teeth.
Studies show that after ten years, 90% of the implant cases continue to be successful. Unlike bridges, there is no undue damage to adjacent teeth. Why cut two good teeth to replace one missing tooth if you don’t need to?
With bridges, you still get bone loss in the area of the missing tooth – the opposite is true with implants. Implants help maintain bone integrity. Because implants are stronger, healthier, maintain bone, last longer, and are not damaging to adjacent teeth, in most cases they are and should be considered the standard of care in any office.
First, the dentist surgically places a small, titanium post into the jaw bone. It may take up to six months for the bone to grow around the implant post, holding it firmly in position. When your jaw and gums heal, we fit and cement the replacement tooth to the implant post. Dental implants are indistinguishable from natural teeth in shape, size, color, strength, and comfort. No one will ever tell you've had dental work done!
Your dentist can use local anesthesia and perform implant surgery at the dental office. Sometimes, dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure, and the dentist uses general anesthesia. Your dentist will give you instructions on oral hygiene, diet, and aftercare to ensure the success and health of your newly restored smile.
Do you currently wear dentures? Many patients have expressed displeasure with how dentures can often slip or fall out at inopportune times. Additionally, without a root to support the bone, the jaw bone will recede, which will change the shape of your mouth—requiring the dentist to refit your dentures over time.
Dental implants have revolutionized how we work with dentures. The ultimate goal of well-made dentures is a secure and comfortable fit. However, aging and bone loss can compromise even the best fitting, custom-made dentures.
Now, strategically-placed dental implants can permanently hold a denture in place. Our team works with highly skilled and experienced dental implant and denture specialists in the Pike Creek, Newark, and Wilmington areas.
Whether you are considering dentures for the first time or would like your current dentures to be supported by dental implants, we can give you quality work with high-grade materials, all within a relaxing environment.
Dr. Gladnick is highly skilled in dental implant placement and aftercare, so our Wilmington patients should never feel anxious or stressed about the process. We encourage you to let us know if you feel worried about the procedure. We practice sedation dentistry to ensure absolute comfort and stress relief during any of your dental visits.
At Justison and Gladnick Family Dentistry, we cannot recommend dental implants enough for patients looking for permanent tooth restoration. While there are many utilitarian benefits to dental implants, including their appearance and function, we love how simple they are to maintain. The best part about dental implants is that no special treatment is necessary once they are secure in place.
Care and maintenance are as simple as your regular at-home oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing ensure proper oral health so that your implant and adjacent teeth are never in jeopardy. Dental implants don't require special toothbrushes, adhesives, pastes, or other products, unlike other dental prosthetics.
Along with proper at-home oral care, we recommend regular visits to your Wilmington dentist to track your progress and note any changes. We ensure perfect oral health, but we can also ensure no issues with your dental implant. If you feel like something isn't right or has changed with your dental implant, call our dental office immediately so we can have a look.
While there are other alternatives to tooth replacement, a dental implant will feel most like your natural teeth! Call our Pike Creek dental office today for your dental implant examination.
We understand that dental implants aren't the solution for everyone. We can help you determine if a dental implant is right for you. Please call our dentist office at (302) 994-2660 to schedule your tooth implant consultation with us. We will be able to determine if you have enough existing bone structure to support dental implant placement.
Dr. Justison grew up in Pike Creek, Delaware, just around the corner from the office. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology, with minor in chemistry from University of Delaware, researching cancer biology, physics, and biochemistry. He then went on to dental school at Temple University ...
Updated February 2026.
Did you know that dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care? The good news is that they can't develop cavities. However, gum disease can threaten the tissue and bone that support the implant post, so proper routine care ...
When a person loses one or more teeth, they don’t only lose the functionality that comes with those teeth. Tooth loss makes the sites of the missing teeth, remaining teeth, the surrounding gums, and the jawbone susceptible to certain complications. Today we’re examining the pros and cons of two common ...
Modern dentistry allows us to replace teeth using leading-edge technologies, techniques, and materials. Unlike tooth replacements of the past, modern replacements, like implant dentures, can give you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve––without compromising your self-confidence or comfort.
Implants have revolutionized patient satisfaction with dentures that can now fit snugly and ...
