Dental Implants
What’s an Implant?
Implants are dental restorations that are used to replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. They are ideal for holding onto crowns, bridge work and even larger dentures so that they are kept in place. Your implants can last for about 20 to 30 years before they might need to be replaced. Your implants act as the actual roots of a tooth that have been missing. You can think of a dental implant as a lifetime tooth replacement.”
Why would Implants be needed?
Implants might be needed if you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth. Rather than damage or compromise surrounding teeth, the implant can be placed in the area. Over the course of about six months, the implant will naturally bond with surrounding bone structure and become a solid restoration. Once healed, the implant can be used as the foundation for crowns, fixed bridge work and complete dentures.
Who’s a candidate for Implants?
Implants need enough healthy tooth structure in order for them to heal successfully. If you have bone loss in or around the jaw area, we’ll recommend having a bone grafting done. You should be healthy enough to undergo this type of oral surgery. We’ll conduct an examination prior to surgery to determine if implants are right for you.
What happens during the Implant procedure?
First, we’ll examine your teeth and take special x-ray images of the tooth and surrounding bone. This allows us to create a treatment plan specific to your implants. We then begin the procedure by administering sedation and creating incisions through the gums. Each implant is inserted deep into the bone and given time to fuse with the surrounding bone. After about six months, you’ll come back in so that we can make a new restoration for the implant. The restoration is placed and you’ll benefit from a full and healthy smile that is free of any missing areas. Implants have become the go-to option for many patients.
If you’re ready to come in for new dental implants, call our office today and we can help to answer any of your questions.