Your Guide to Dental Implants: Procedure and Benefits
If you have missing teeth in your smile, you may want to consider dental implants as a tooth replacement option. While can take months, the results are worth the wait.
Not only do they look natural, but single-tooth implants also feel and function the same way as your existing teeth. To ultimately determine if you are a candidate, we recommend you consult with our experienced Hilliard dental implant dentist.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the procedure and so you can feel informed and confident before replacing missing teeth.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as artificial roots for replacement teeth. Unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums, implants integrate with the bone itself, offering unmatched stability and longevity. What you see in your smile (the porcelain dental crown) is anchored securely to the implant hidden below the surface.
Made from titanium, a material known for being lightweight, non-corrosive, and incredibly strong, tooth implants are built to withstand the daily pressure of chewing and speaking. Titanium is also biocompatible, which means your body is less likely to reject it, and it fuses naturally with bone through a process called osseointegration.
Learn Even More → Dental Implant FAQ
There’s no need for special cleaning routines or dietary restrictions once the dental implant is placed and fully healed. You can brush and floss like normal. However, the total cost of the treatment can vary. Factors include whether a bone graft is required beforehand to rebuild jaw structure and the position of the missing tooth. For example, front teeth often require more precision and may involve higher lab costs.
Our local dental implant dentist will keep you in the loop throughout every step of the process from preparation to the actual dental implant surgery itself and beyond to ensure all is tailored for long-term success.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Overall Durability
Dental implants are durable because they are meant to imitate the full function of a natural tooth. As mentioned above, dental implants are fused with your jawbone and are incredibly stable which allows them to handle the same pressures as regular teeth. With proper at-home care and professional teeth cleanings every 6 months inside our Hilliard, OH, dental office, an implant can last for decades, providing a long-term solution without the need for frequent replacements or adjustments.
Eating Is Made Easier
Dentures have the tendency to slip or shift slightly when trying to eat. Dental implants, on the other hand, function as a natural tooth and don’t move. Since your dental implant is rooted into your jawbone, you can enjoy your favorite foods without the worry of denture slippage.
Improved Speech
When people get dentures for the first time, they have to relearn how to talk. This is because your lips, cheeks, and tongue have to get used to speaking around a new oral appliance.
However, dental implants act as a natural tooth so you don’t have to worry about speaking with a slight lisp or practicing pronunciation. However, it should be noted that first-time denture wearers are able to speak properly with little practice.
Better Appearance
Dentures that don’t fit properly aren’t able to effectively mimic the appearance of natural teeth, especially if they are constantly slipping. However, your new dental implants will be a stable tooth restoration fused to your jawbone. For this reason, dental implants look and feel natural.
Bone Loss Prevention
Your jawbone requires stimulation from tooth roots to stay healthy; otherwise, your jawbone will start to deteriorate and your body will start to reabsorb the bone not being “used”. To prevent jawbone deterioration, we recommend dental implant placement. Dental implants fuse with the jawbone and create enough pressure to simulate natural tooth roots. If left untreated, jawbone deterioration can lead to further tooth loss or even facial collapse.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
If you are interested in this option for your smile, our dental implant dentist in Hilliard, OH, would love to meet with you. Call Gibson Dental today at (614) 878-9562 to request an appointment and set up a one-on-one consultation.
This blog post has been updated.