So often, we take our teeth for granted. Day-in-day-out, they thanklessly work hard biting and chewing our food while forming an important part of our smile and providing structure to our facial features. But when they’re gone, it can be devastating; both to your self-esteem and to your oral health. We may recommend dental implants if you’ve lost or severely damaged one or more teeth. As with any major dental procedure, you’re bound to have lots of questions. 

 

To help you understand what you can expect from the procedure, we compiled some answers to the most common questions people ask before getting dental implants.

 

What Are Dental Implants?

Below the gumline of every natural tooth, there’s a root that reaches down into your jaw where it is securely fixed into position. When you lose teeth, it’s common to just think about replacing the portion of your tooth that’s visible. 

Of course, without the natural anchor of your tooth’s root, stability becomes an issue. While bridges and dentures offer a certain degree of rigidity, they’re not quite the same as your natural teeth.

Dental implants act as a replacement for your tooth’s root. They can be used to support a single crown, a bridge, or a set of dentures. They are made of strong, biocompatible titanium that gradually fuses to your jawbone in a process called osseointegration.

 

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a great solution for anyone that’s lost teeth through trauma or decay. To withstand the pressure the implants put on your jaw, it’s essential that you have adequate bone density. 

When you’ve lost teeth, your jawbone is no longer stimulated and will gradually deteriorate. This process is called resorption and it occurs when the minerals in your jaw are absorbed by the bloodstream.

If your jawbone isn’t sufficient enough to hold an implant, we may recommend a bone graft or sinus lift procedure before you get the implant to help restore density.

Other factors that affect your viability for implants will also include your general health and whether you’re a smoker or not.

 

What Type of Dental Implants Are There?

We offer several types of implants including:

• Single Implants – Ideal for replacing individual teeth
• All-on-4s – Also known as ‘Immediate Load Implants’ or ‘Same Day Teeth’, these use four implants to hold up to an entire arch of replacement teeth
• Implant-Retained Dentures – Just like normal dentures, these are removable. Unlike traditional false teeth, they’re removable and the implants offer much more support
• Bridge Implants –  An implanted bridge uses a combination of implants and a dental bridge to fill the gap left by several missing teeth.

 

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

The dental implant procedure varies depending on whether you’re having single implants, All-on-4s, implant-retained dentures, or bridge implants and whether you need a bone graft in preparation.

Traditional implants are placed in several stages, between which your jaw and gums will need time to heal. All-on-4s have a much faster recovery time, and the procedure can often be carried out in just one day.

 

 

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Titanium implants are made from a material that will not only provide fantastic support to your crown, bridge, or dentures but is designed to last a lifetime.

As long as you look after your teeth through regular brushing and make routine trips for a dental check-ups, there’s no reason that your dental implants shouldn’t last for many decades to come.

 

Say Hello to a Confident New Smile

Dental implants are an effective way to restore lost confidence in your smile. By opting for implants, you’ll prevent bone loss in your jaw, retain your facial structure, and enjoy better oral health. 

To find out whether all of these benefits are right for you, schedule your appointment with us today.