What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a permanent solution for missing teeth. The doctors surgically implant a metal post into your jawbone. A crown is affixed to this post. The implant restores the look of your smile and also promotes good oral health.
Implants function just like natural teeth. They also support the bone beneath, which can atrophy when teeth are lost. Jaw bone atrophy causes remaining teeth to shift, so your bite is greatly compromised and your smile affected.
What are the benefits of implants?
Implants look and feel natural; no one will know you’ve had a restoration performed unless you tell them. Implants are also superior to other tooth replacements such as dentures or bridges.
Benefits of dental implants include:
- Improved smile: They look natural and restore your missing teeth.
- Better chewing: The implants feel natural and don’t move around as you eat.
- Natural speech: You don’t have to worry about them slipping as you do with dentures.
- Preservation of oral health: The addition of implants doesn’t require other teeth to be modified.
- Convenience: You don’t have to remove them nightly or clean them separately.
Dental implants can last a lifetime if you treat them with good, basic oral hygiene. Preventing the inevitable shift of your teeth caused by a missing tooth saves you time and money down the road, too.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Adults with a missing tooth or teeth due to periodontal (gum) disease, trauma, or another reason should consider dental implants as an option. You should have generally good oral health and at-home oral hygiene habits, you can benefit. Healthy gums and jawbone structure are also essential to a successful implant.
What should I expect when getting a dental implant?
Your dental implant is inserted in a minor surgical procedure at an in-office appointment. The post takes about 12 weeks to heal. The jawbone needs this time to grow around the post and make it as stable as possible.
After this healing period, the doctors affix an abutment to the post. This acts as a connection and anchor for the crown or false tooth. The crown is customized to you, so it matches your smile in color, shape, and size.
To learn if a dental implant is the right tooth replacement option for you, call the office of Shah & Velilla DDS, or schedule a consultation online.
