Dental Implants

You might be a good candidate for dental implants if: 

1. You’ve lost one or more teeth 

Nobody likes to loose teeth. Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. In addition, implants give patients the confidence to smile, eat, and engage in social activities without worrying about how they look or if their dentures will fall out

2. You have cracked/broken teeth

Cracks in teeth happen. Usually, cracked teeth can be restored with a filling. However, if the tooth is beyond repair, dental implants are a viable option that, due to their strength, will help prevent cracks and breaks.

3. You want to improve your smile 

Having missing teeth can present a lot of problems for someone who likes to show off their smile. Some people do not like have spaces or gaps when they show their teeth, so dental implants are a great option for someone wanting to significantly improve their overall teeth and smile.

What are dental implants and how do they work? 

A natural tooth consists of a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the part hidden under the gum, within the jawbone). It is the root that actually holds the natural tooth in place. When a person is missing a tooth, an implant replaces it. Dental implants are metallic cylinders that are placed into the jawbone where original teeth once existed. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a fabricated tooth, in the place where a natural tooth is missing.

If after a review of your dental history, dental x-rays, and a thorough oral evaluation, it is decided that an implant is right for you, the following steps will take place. First, the implant is placed in the jaw where the previous root was located. It is then covered with a healing cap. If the tooth is in an aesthetic area (in the smile), a temporary tooth can be placed. This is a simple outpatient procedure. Most patients are surprised by how easy the process is and report very little discomfort afterwards. Many go about their regular routine the next day. At this point the implant is left to fuse with the bone to allow stable support. This usually takes 4-6 months.