It’s easy to take our smiles for granted, until something goes wrong and a tooth is lost. Suddenly, the simple act of smiling or laughing feels like a daunting task. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are missing teeth, don’t despair – dental implants may be able to help! In this blog post, we’ll discuss what dental implants are and how they can restore your smile.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to act as a replacement for natural teeth. This restorative method offers a comprehensive fix to the gaps in your smile by replacing your entire tooth structure, from root to crown. Once in place, they provide a sturdy foundation for long lasting artificial teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants have a number of benefits over traditional methods of tooth replacement, such as dentures or bridges. First, implants are much more stable than these other methods, meaning you can eat and speak with confidence. Additionally, implants preserve the natural contours of your face, preventing the sunken appearance that often occurs with dentures. Finally, implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care, while dentures and bridges typically need to be replaced every five to seven years.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
The first step in the dental implants process is to consult with your dentist or oral surgeon to see if you’re a candidate.
If you are missing one or more teeth and have healthy gums, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Other factors that can impact your candidacy include:
- The density of your jawbone
- Your overall health
- Whether you are willing to commit to proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits
During your consultation, your dentist or oral surgeon will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and take X-rays to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
What should I expect when I get dental implants?
If you are determined to be a good candidate, the next step is to have the implant surgery. This is typically performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. During surgery, your oral surgeon will make incisions in your gums and place the titanium posts into your jawbone. The incisions are then closed with stitches.
After surgery, you will need to rest and allow your mouth to heal. This process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. After the implant has been placed, you’ll need to wait for it to heal and fuse to the bone, which can take several months. Once the implant has healed, you’ll return to your dentist or oral surgeon to have an artificial tooth (or teeth) placed on top of the implant.
Once your mouth has healed, you will return to the dentist or oral surgeon to have the tooth restorations placed on the implants. These are made of porcelain or ceramic with the color, shape, and structure matching your natural tooth enamel.
The end result will leave you with a healthy and fully functioning smile. You’ll now be able to eat, speak, and perform daily oral hygiene just as you would with your natural smile.
Ready to restore your smile?
Don’t let missing teeth hold you back from smiling! If you would like to restore your smile, call our office at any of our five Nevada offices in Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Stead, and Damonte to schedule a consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about dental implants and help you determine if this treatment is right for you.
