Dental implants enable you to have the smile that you’ve always dreamed of having. Unfortunately, in the past, your only two options for replacing missing teeth were with a partial denture or a fixed bridge. Nowadays, you can have a permanent dental implant placed that prevents the need for a denture or having to compromise surrounding teeth. Implants are securely embedded into the jawbone, so you can expect them to last for decades without experiencing any problems.

What Exactly Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a type of restoration that is specifically designed to replace a missing tooth. During oral surgery, the implant is embedded deep into the jawbone, where it is given time to integrate and fuse with the bone itself. This process can take about six months depending on how quickly you heal from surgical procedures. Once the implant has healed completely, we will make either a crown or bridge to be placed on top of it. For some patients, we may recommend that a denture be made to fit over multiple implants to keep it in place.

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most patients coming to our office and wanting implants can safely have the procedure done. The process typically requires two to three appointments, so it is important that you are committed to treatment in order for it to be done properly. Likewise, you should have enough solid and healthy bone in the area where the implant is going to be placed. This is because the implant will only heal successfully if it has enough bone to fuse with over the course of several months. We can determine if you have bone loss with a special dental x-ray.

Implants are ideal for patients who don’t want to wear prosthetic appliances or who would rather not compromise their natural teeth to fit a bridge. Implants are permanent, so they require no repairs or replacements in the least. Our goal is to provide you with a full and healthy smile using restorations that you can trust. The implant process is an easy one, and we work to make it as comfortable for you as possible when you’re in the office having it done.

If you would like to learn more about how dental implants can work for you, call our office today to speak with one of our trained staff members.