Losing teeth can happen due to gum disease, decay, cancer, injury, or natural wear as you go through life. However, getting dental implant surgery may be an alternative to restoring your smile and your confidence.

The Question: What Are Dental Implants?

The Mayo Clinic describes dental implants as a medical device surgically inserted into a patient’s jawbone to replace damaged tooth roots. The goal of the implant is to replace your tooth roots with screw-like posts. This helps repair any damaged or missing teeth you may have by inserting artificial teeth. The appearance of the artificial teeth is natural-looking and functions almost completely like natural teeth, which means you can speak and enjoy your meals just like you have before.

You can choose this surgery as an alternative to dentures or bridgework if the natural roots in your teeth are missing for the building work of the bridgework or dentures. The implants provide a solid layer for other dental procedures, such as getting a crown or a bridge. Once the dental surgeon infuses the posts into where your teeth roots go, the implants do not slip, move, make noise while you eat or speak, or cause any bone damage.

Reasons You Might Invest in Dental Implants

There are a few reasons you might invest in dental implants, but the main one is that it builds a firm base for your new teeth and the implants do not decay in your mouth. This can allow you to feel confident in your smile and the health of your teeth again. Another reason you to consider investing in dental implants is if you have one or more missing teeth in your smile. The implants can allow you to eat and speak comfortably again while also letting you show off your beautiful smile again.

If you’re wondering about what makes you a candidate for this procedure, consider the following criteria questions to ask yourself or your dentist:

• • Has your jawbone reached its full growth?
  • Is one or more of your teeth missing from your smile?
  • Do you have an adequate bone structure for the implants to secure? Or can you have a bone graft?
  • Are your oral tissues healthy?
  • Do you have any health conditions that might affect bone healing?
  • Do you wish to find an alternative to dentures?
  • Are you wanting to improve the ability of your speech?
  • Are you willing to commit to several months of procedures to complete the implants properly?
  • Do you smoke tobacco in any form?

How Does the Procedure Work?

The type of implant you’re receiving and your jawbone’s condition will affect how the procedure works for you. A dental implant may take several sessions to complete the entire procedure of adding the screw-like titanium posts into your teeth roots.

Several steps happen when you’re getting these implants. The steps can include:

• • Removing the damaged tooth or teeth.
  • Preparing for a jawbone graft, if required.
  • Getting the dental implants placed in your mouth.
  • Experiencing bone growth and healing.
  • Receiving an abutment.
  • Getting the artificial teeth implanted into their place.

Restoring your health and confidence in your smile is possible with dental implants. Please schedule your appointment now with us to learn more about how to begin your procedures.