info@mysite.com
123-456-7890
500 Terry Francine Street,
San Francisco, CA 94158
Sun - Sat, 11:00 AM to 08:00 PM
info@mysite.com
123-456-7890
500 Terry Francine Street,
San Francisco, CA 94158
Sun - Sat, 11:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small, threaded posts that surgically replace missing teeth. In addition to filling in gaps in your smile, dental implants improve chewing function and overall oral health. Once healed, implants work much like natural teeth.
A dental implant has three main parts:
1. Threaded post: You can think of this like an artificial tooth root. A provider places it in your jawbone during an oral surgery procedure.
2. Abutment: This is a tiny connector post. It screws into the threaded post and extends slightly beyond your gums. It serves as the foundation for your new artificial tooth.
3. Restoration: A dental restoration is any prosthetic that repairs or replaces teeth. Common dental implant restorations are crowns, bridges and dentures.
Most dental implants are titanium, but some are ceramic. Both materials are safe and biocompatible (friendly to the tissues inside of your mouth).
Missing teeth can take a toll on your oral health. But it also impacts your mental and emotional well-being. Do you avoid social situations? Or cover your mouth when you laugh? Do you rarely smile for photos? Dental implants can restore your smile and your confidence, so you don’t have to miss out on the things you enjoy.
What conditions are treated with dental implants?
Dental implants treat tooth loss, which can happen due to:
• Cavities.
• Cracked teeth.
• Gum disease.
• Teeth that never develop (anodontia).
• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism).
Benefits
Tooth loss changes the way you eat, speak and connect with the world around you. Dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth and offer benefits like:
• Better chewing ability.
• Enhanced smile.
• Improved speech and enunciation.
• Jawbone preservation.
• Longevity. (Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper hygiene and regular dental visits.)
• Stability for wobbly dentures.
Another advantage is that dental implants don’t require enamel removal like bridges do. To replace one missing tooth with a dental bridge, your dentist must alter (shave down) at least one tooth on either side of the gap. This can weaken your natural tooth structure over time.
A dental implant replaces your missing tooth without involving the neighbouring teeth. It’s a one-tooth solution to a one-tooth problem.
Risks
It’s normal to have slight bleeding and swelling after getting your implant. But like any procedure, dental implant surgery carries the possible risk of complications.
Complications are uncommon, but may include:
• Damage to nearby teeth.
• Delayed jawbone healing.
• Infection.
• Jaw fractures.
• Nerve damage.
• Severe bleeding.
• Sinus damage.
Very rarely, some people can have an allergic reaction to implants made of titanium. If this happens, a surgeon can replace them with ceramic implants.
When an experienced surgeon places implants, the risk of complications is minimal. If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, be sure to find a provider you trust.
How long does it take to recover after dental implants?
Initial healing takes about one week. But it takes anywhere from three to nine months for your jawbone to fuse around the implant (a process called osseointegration). This process stabilizes your implant so you can use it just like a natural tooth.
Your provider will check on your progress every few weeks. Once the implant heals, it’s safe to add the restoration (crown, bridge or denture).
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants last longer than alternative treatments (like bridges and dentures). With brushing, flossing and regular dental visits, implants can last a lifetime.
The restoration part of your dental implant will need replacing at some point. Most crowns and bridges last around 15 years and most dentures last at least seven years, but this timeline varies.