A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in the jaw for the purpose of holding a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are most commonly used for people who have lost teeth due to injury or disease. If you are missing a tooth due to gum disease or injury, or you need dentures, dental implants may be the right fit for you!

Types of Implants

There are two different types of implants available: endosteal and subperiosteal. An endosteal implant is placed inside the bone and is the most commonly used dental implant because it is designed as an alternative for bridges and removable dentures. The second type of implant is the subperiosteal, which means on the bone. this type of implant is placed on top of the jaw and held together with metal framework. The subperiosteal implant is mainly used by people who are unable to wear dentures.

Are you a Good Candidate?

There are two main requirements for people who are interested in dental implants. The first is that you are are in good oral health and the second is that you have adequate bone in your jaw. Being in good oral health is very important for the overall success of the implant and is needed for the future care and maintenance of the teeth after the implant. It is important that you have enough bone in your jaw because most dental implants are placed directly in the bone. Without adequate bone, the implantation will not be successful.

What to Expect

When replacing a single tooth, the periodontist will use one implant and a crown to replace the tooth. If the periodontist is replacing more than one tooth, they will use an implant-supported bridge to replace the teeth. If you are missing all of your teeth, then an implant-supported full bridge or full denture will be used.

After receiving a dental implant it is important to maintain good oral care. Practice the same preventative techniques you would with your own teeth to ensure the health and care of your teeth. Keep your implant teeth plaque free and clean by brushing and flossing daily, just like you normally would. You just got new teeth, wouldn’t want to lose them!