Losing permanent teeth can be very damaging to a person's smile, both in aesthetics and function. If one or more of your teeth are missing, dental implants are one of the most reliable and dependable methods to replace them. They function as a base to support one or more artificial teeth that appear, feel, and perform just like natural teeth. Dental implants can help you regain the ability to eat and live your normal life, as well as giving you back a dazzling smile once again!

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are essentially artificial and custom-crafted roots made of titanium metal, anchored to the jaw or skull. Dental implants act as a foundation for an artificial porcelain tooth, bridge or denture. Titanium is bio-compatible with the human body and is good at resisting corrosion, which allows it to integrate tightly with the bone for a stable and worry-free connection

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

You're an ideal candidate for a dental implant if:

• You're in good general and oral health;
• You have adequate bone in your jaw or skull to support the implant;
• You have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

A graft procedure is sometimes required to provide additional supporting bone before the dental implant can be placed. At your consultation appointment, our dentist can tell you if you're an ideal candidate for implants.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Implants?

Dental implants are popular for many reasons, including:

• They replace your missing teeth to help prevent or slow bone loss and preserve your natural facial contours;
• They look, feel and function just like natural teeth to allow you to eat and talk normally, improve your smile and give you a boost of confidence;
• Dental implants cannot get cavities because they are artificial and resistant to the decay that occurs in natural teeth;
• They are the best tooth replacement option that can last a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-saving one-time investment.

There are only a few drawbacks of implants, and many of these can be minimized by having a trusted and skilled team of professionals, such as ours, complete the work. Although rare, possible complications due to dental implants include bleeding, infection, numbness or injury to nearby muscles or the sinus cavity. In some cases, the implant may not be successful because it didn't bond to the bone. Our dental team will work closely with you to develop the most optimal care plan to ensure the highest chance of success with your dental implants.

Dental Implants Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, our dentist will place a dental implant, or titanium root, into your bone beneath the gum tissue. The gum tissue is then stitched back into place. As the tissue heals, the implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum. The healing process usually takes 3-6 months.

During the second stage of surgery, our dentist will attach an abutment to the implant once the tissue is healed. An abutment is a post that connects the replacement tooth to the implant. After two weeks, an artificial replacement tooth is made and our dentist will attach it to the abutment. It may take additional appointments to properly fit the replacement tooth to the abutment. When replacing several teeth or all of your teeth, a fixed bridge or denture is anchored to your dental implants. The bridge or denture is held firmly in place by the dental implants.

The entire implant procedure usually takes 6-8 months. Most patients do not experience any complications or disruptions from dental implants in their daily lives.

Care and Maintenance of Dental Implants

The daily care of dental implants is similar to the care of natural teeth.

• You need to brush and floss daily, paying special attention to all sides of the implant to prevent infections and complications, such as gum disease.
• Regular dental checkups are also important so our dentist can make sure that your bite is right and that your implants are not loose. Our team has the training and tools to remove plaque and calculus for a clean and healthy smile.We can give you recommendations to improve your home care routine when needed.

Wondering if dental implants can help save your smile? Contact our office today to book a consultation appointment!