Dental Implants

Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a type of restoration that can replace a missing tooth. Implants are often made of titanium, which is safely used in surgical procedures. Implants can last for many decades and become a permanent part of your smile. They can hold onto the crowns, bridges or overdentures that are made specifically for these implants. You can either have one implant placed at a time or several during the same surgery.

Why are Dental Implants needed?

Implants are needed to replace one or more missing teeth within the mouth. Unlike other restorations, implants work on their own and prevent the need for other teeth to be compromised in any way. Implants can last for decades and will actually replace both the lower and upper portions of a tooth. They can even be used to keep a denture in place, as the new denture will simply snap into place.

Who is a candidate for Dental Implants?

You need to have enough healthy bone in the area where the implant is going to be placed. If you’re lacking solid bone structure, we may advise you to have a bone graft. Bone grafts help to build up areas of bone that were previously missing. You might have bone loss because of gum disease or in areas of teeth that were extracted in the past.

What happens during the Dental Implant procedure?

The first step is to numb the area that will be receiving the implant. We then make an incision through the gums and drill a thin, tunnel-like hole into the jawbone. The titanium implant is then placed into this hole. Your new implant will naturally fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. Once fully healed, we can make a crown, bridge or overdenture that will be used in conjunction with the brand new implant that has been placed.

If you think you may want or need dental implants, call us today so that we can get you in for a quick and convenient consultation appointment.