IMPLANTS

Dental Implants are redefining dentistry by changing the lives of individuals living with the embarrassment of missing teeth.  Dental Implants provide the best alternative to replace your missing teeth. One main advantage of dental implants is that they are more strong and durable than other tooth replacement options. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants consist of titanium screw-like posts surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function like real ones. Dental Implants are the best option for patients who have lost their teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, trauma, aging, or any other reasons. 

Why Is It Important to Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants?

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants help maintain the full function of the teeth and bite to avoid the following issues:

• When you have a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth may start shifting towards the gap created by the missing one. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants will prevent the drifting and tilting of teeth. 
• If one or several of your teeth are missing, it can interfere with the aesthetics of your smile. Your smile can also become uneven or crooked as the teeth begin to tilt because of the gap. Replacing your missing teeth can help prevent this. 
• If your teeth drift as a result of a missing tooth, it can cause your bite to become misaligned, leading to imbalance as you bite or chew. 
• A misaligned bite can cause worn teeth and strained ligaments.
• Brushing and flossing of the teeth become difficult when there are gaps in between the teeth. This can lead to the accumulation of plaque, causing tooth decay, cavities, and gum infections. 

How Do Our Dental Implant Procedures Work?

Dental Implant surgery involves various steps, with healing time between the procedures. The various stages involved are as follows: 

Damaged tooth removal: If you have a damaged tooth/teeth, it will be removed via extraction.  A clinical examination will also be conducted via X-rays to assess the bone.

Bone grafting: If your bone is not strong enough to support the dental implant, you may need an additional bone grafting procedure. This is done to create a solid base for the implant if the jawbone is not thick enough to support the implant.

Placement of dental implant: Holes are drilled into your bone after opening the gum, where the dental implant metal post is placed deep into the bone. After this procedure, the bone is allowed to heal before your next visit.

Bone growth and healing: During your next visit, we will take X-rays to evaluate your bone healing. Through a process called osseointegration, the jawbone grows and fuses with the dental implant's surface to provide a firm base for the new artificial tooth. Once the bone is healed fully, we will take an impression of the teeth that will be used to make the bridge, crown, or denture.

Abutment placement: When the bone healing is complete, the gum is reopened to attach the abutment to the dental implant. After the procedure, the gum tissue is closed, and you will be provided with temporary crowns or a flipper for cosmetic reasons to fill the space where the tooth was removed.

Artificial tooth placement:After the gums healed and the jawbone is strong enough to support the artificial tooth, we will attach them to the implants. 

Taking Care of the Dental Implants

It is important to take care of the dental implants and maintain consistent, excellent oral hygiene to make them last longer. Avoid eating hard and crunchy foods. Never skip your regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last up to 20 years or even a lifetime. 

The entire dental implant surgery process can take months to finish, devoting much time to heal and waiting for new bone growth in the jaw. However, the time and procedures are worth every penny.

Call us at (662) 234-5725 or schedule an online appointment to know more about dental implants.