Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

An estimated 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, while 178 million are missing at least one tooth. Dental implants function as artificial tooth roots that support highly natural looking prosthetic teeth. They’re inserted into your jawbone and fuse naturally to it. A set of precisely placed implants can be used to support an entire set of top or bottom replacement teeth.

Implant-supported prosthetics are sturdy, durable, and won’t shift inside your mouth. The one key requirement to be an ideal candidate for implants is a strong jawbone that’s capable of supporting the titanium post. If your jawbone is too thin or too weak to support an implant, it may not be the right restoration for you. In some cases, a bone graft procedure can strengthen your jawbone and improve your candidacy.

How does the process of getting dental implants work?

The procedure for dental implants requires at least two visits to the office. First, your dentist performs the procedure to place the implants. Your practitioner provides you with a local anesthetic so you won’t experience any discomfort. Using a special dental drill, the implant is inserted directly into your jawbone.

After an implant procedure, your jawbone needs ample time to heal. Over the next few months, your implant naturally fuses to your jawbone. Your dentist will monitor your recovery during this period and brings you back in for a follow-up visit once your jawbone has fully healed.

At your next visit, your dentist at Hometown Family Dental Centers attaches your permanent prosthetic to your implant.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Missing teeth don’t just detract from your appearance, they are also unhealthy and harmful to your oral health. Gaps in your smile often cause the surrounding teeth to move over to fill those gaps. This causes your teeth to become crooked.

Crooked teeth are much harder to keep clean and over time this poses an immense risk. It can lead to pockets forming between your gums and teeth where plaque and bacteria build up causing inflammation or cavities. If missing teeth are left untreated, your risk for gum disease, tooth decay, or even tooth loss significantly increases.

How long do dental implants last?

One of the reasons dental implants are so popular is that if you take proper care of them they can last a lifetime. Here’s a quick how-to on caring for your dental implants:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss twice a day
• Maintain regular cleanings and dental exams
• Call the office and report problems with your implants right away
• Limit your intake of certain hard foods, like hard candies that may cause chips or cracks

If you have gaps in your smile and are in search of a viable, long-term solution, dental implants may be what you’ve been looking for. Just call the office or schedule a consultation online today to learn more.