Benefits of Dental Implants
With dental implants you can eat, speak, and smile with confidence, knowing your replacement teeth are attached to stable titanium anchors which serve as tooth root substitutes. These anchors bond with the surrounding bone to form a strong foundation for your implant prosthesis. There is no negative impact on adjacent teeth, as there may be with a bridge, and your teeth, gums, and jawline retain their natural look. With proper care dental implants can last for many years.
How Dental Implants Work
A dental implant consists of two main parts: a tiny titanium post that is placed into the jawbone where a tooth is missing, and a replacement tooth, or crown, which is attached to this “artificial root”. The titanium implant acts as a substitute for a tooth root, and bonds with your jawbone forming a strong foundation. Once the crown is attached, the implant will perform like a natural tooth. It is possible to use dental implants to replace more than one tooth at a time, and can even be used to anchor full arch prosthetics when all of the teeth need to be replaced.
What to Expect with Dental Implant Surgery
During an initial consultation we will review your medical and dental history, and perform a thorough dental exam to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. We may recommend bone grafting to prepare your jaw for a successful implant if needed. Both bone grafting procedure and implant surgery can be performed in the office under local anesthesia or with intravenous sedation depending on your needs.
Your implant will take three to six months to bond with your jawbone. During that time you may be able to wear a temporary removable prosthesis for cosmetic and functional purposes. Once your implant has finished healing, your dentist will prepare a permanent crown to replace the missing tooth. The crown is attached to an abutment that attaches to the implant and protrudes through the gums. In some cases you may need to come back to our office for a minimally invasive procedure in which we place the abutment.
Implants typically last 20 years or more with good care. You will be encouraged to brush and floss your teeth as part of good oral hygiene and keep regular appointments with your dental specialists.
The Advantage of Expertise
Choosing an oral surgeon as part of your dental implant team means you get the expertise of a specialist who received four to six years of additional training after dental school in order to specialize in surgical procedures of the face, mouth, and jaw. Our oral surgeons provide specialized care for dental implant and bone grafting surgery. Once your surgical procedure is completed, you can return to your dentist with confidence, ready for your new crown.
