5 Facts About Dental Implants
If you’re missing one or several teeth, you might be a candidate for dental implants may be right for you. The dental implant procedure is a great first step for several tooth replacement options.
But what are they? What’s the procedure like? Let’s take a look at five facts about dental implants so you can determine if the procedure is right for you.
1. Dental Implants Are Prosthetic Tooth Roots
First, let’s define what dental implants are: prosthetic tooth roots (typically made of titanium) used to anchor a dental crown. If an implant is the root, think of a crown as the cap. Your dentist may recommend a tooth implant to fill in a gap in your smile or prevent jawbone deterioration.
2. Tooth Implants Provide More Stability
Since the dental implant is embedded deep into your jawbone, it provides more stability than other . Because they can depend on their implant to look and function like a natural tooth, many of our patients report having more confidence when they eat, smile, and talk.
Your body is able to sense missing teeth. When this happens, your body starts absorbing minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. However, dental implants exert enough pressure on your jaw to keep the bone tissue healthy. Tooth implants prevent jawbone deterioration so you can maintain good oral health and look years younger.
3. Multiple Appointments Are Necessary
The implant procedure requires multiple visits to the dentist. During your first visit, we’ll cut through the gum tissue to access the underlying jawbone. We’ll then insert the into the jawbone where it will fuse over the next several months, a process known as osseointegration.
After your initial procedure, we’ll monitor your progress to make sure the implant fuses properly. Once osseointegration is complete, we’ll place the crown on top of your implant to give you the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
4. Implants Can Replace Multiple Teeth
Many patients greatly benefit from replacing several teeth with dental implants. One major benefit is they don’t slip when you talk, eat, and smile. People also appreciate that their implants look and feel like natural teeth.
In fact, implants are key components to our various options for replacing multiple teeth, including All-on-4 implants and implant-supported dentures.
5. You May Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
To be a candidate for the dental implant procedure, you’ll need healthy gum and jawbone tissue. However, our dental implant dentists may recommend a bone graft if you don’t have sufficient jawbone tissue to support implants.
During your consultation, our implant dentists can help you understand your options for replacing missing teeth. We work with patients after tooth loss to help them smile with confidence again.
Schedule an Appointment
Our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI want you to make the best choices for your oral health. Dental implants are just one of many procedures we offer that can help restore your smile after tooth loss. To find out if they’re right for you, call Bander Dental Group at (616) 949-5980, or contact us online.
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This blog post has been updated.