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Do you have missing teeth but are hesitant to get partial dentures or bridges? You may be pleased to know that a dental implant looks and feels more like a regular tooth than other forms of prosthetic teeth. Let’s dive into the details of the dental implant process and see if you’d be a good candidate for dental implants.
Dental Implants Overview
Dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and are quickly becoming the default choice for dentists and patients because of the ease of care and the improved look. They consist of a post, which is the implant that is inserted into the jaw, and a crown, the tooth part of the implant.
Replacing Dentures with Implants
If you are missing one of your teeth and currently wearing dentures or avoiding wearing your dentures because they don’t fit comfortably, you may be able to get implants to replace all of your teeth. This procedure involves placing four to six posts into your jaw and putting a denture on top of the implants. When this procedure is performed, the dentures are smaller, especially on the upper jaw where a traditional denture often involves a large plastic piece that covers the upper palate.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth because they are permanent and function like your natural teeth. They can also be brushed and flossed like normal teeth, which means you won’t need to change your diet or avoid certain foods. Here are some other benefits of dental implants:
- Alleviates uneven jaw pressure
- Do not need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years
- Enhances ability to chew
- May reduce risk of sleep apnea
- Reduces the risk of bone loss due to missing teeth
Good Candidates for Dental Implants
A good candidate for a dental implant must have healthy gums and good jaw bone density. If the individual has diabetes or another condition that may affect gum health, it’s still possible to insert the implants if the condition is well controlled.
However, even if the individual has a compromised jaw bone or gum disease, it may be possible to restore gum health with treatment and strengthen the jaw with bone grafts.
Our Dental Implant Process
Our dentistry offers the latest dental implant technology for individuals who wish to replace one or more missing teeth. The process often involves multiple appointments but always starts with an examination of your gum and bone health. If you have bone loss and/or gum disease, those conditions must be corrected prior to placing the implant.
If your gum tissue and jaw bone are in good health, a post is surgically implanted into your jaw. Once the implant has been placed, your gums must heal and the implant must be given time to fuse with your jaw bone. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure your jaw bone is fusing properly with the post and everything is healing normally.
Once the implant is securely in place, the crown will be placed. At that point, you can use your new tooth exactly like you would your normal teeth. That means you don’t have to change your diet and you can brush and floss your teeth normally.
To schedule an appointment with our dentists in Matthews, NC to see if dental implants would be right for you, call us today at 704-708-9185 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form. If you are looking to save money on your dental appointments, check out our dental membership club.
