Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They give you a strong base for replacement teeth. These teeth can be fixed in place or removable, and they are made to match your natural teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Think of a dental implant as an artificial tooth root. It is made of titanium. It is placed into your jawbone with surgery. It gives a steady base for artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Natural Look and Feel: Implants look and work like your own teeth.
- Durability: With good care, implants can last for decades.
- Bone Health: Implants help stop bone loss, which can happen when teeth are missing.
- Improved Oral Health: Unlike bridges, implants do not need your other teeth to be ground down.
- Enhanced Comfort and Convenience: Implants can end the discomfort of removable dentures.
The Dental Implant Process
- Initial Consultation: The dentist checks your oral health and talks with you about whether implants are a good fit.
- Extractions (If Needed): A tooth may be broken or infected and need to come out. If so, the dentist takes it out before placing the implant. Sometimes the implant can go in right after the tooth comes out. Other times you will need to wait for your jaw bone to heal first.
- Surgical Placement: The implant is placed into your jawbone with surgery.
- Osseointegration (Bone Healing): Over a few months, the implant joins with the jawbone. This is called osseointegration. The bone grows between the threads of the implant. This anchors the implant in the jawbone.
- Healing Cap Placement: Once the implant has joined the bone, a round attachment goes on top of it. This is called a Healing Cap. It helps shape the gum where the crown will come out.
- Artificial Tooth Placement: Last, a custom-made crown is attached to an abutment. The abutment connects to the implant. We will walk you through each step.
Aftercare Tips
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Good candidates have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. If you have a long-term illness like diabetes or heart disease, we will look at your case on its own. These diseases can get in the way of the healing that an implant needs.
Conclusion
Dental implants are a reliable way to replace missing teeth. They last a long time. They give many benefits for your oral health. They also help your overall quality of life. Are you thinking about dental implants? You are welcome to book a consultation with us at Carlton Dental to talk about your options. You can also learn more about dental implants on our website here.