Dental Implants: How and Why

When you lose permanent teeth, speaking, chewing, and general oral function can suffer. Remaining teeth may shift out of place and jawbone tissue can deteriorate. You may also be embarrassed by your appearance, and thus refrain from smiling. Dental implants provide solid, secure, and aesthetically pleasing prosthetic teeth. Implants can take years off your appearance and re-establish your oral health and full mouth function.

An oral surgeon, implantologist, or certified implant dentist can insert a surgical-grade titanium post into the socket of a missing tooth. Jawbone tissue will naturally fuse with the implanted post, creating a strong manmade tooth root. A dental lab will create a false tooth, and your dentist or implantologist can affix it permanently to the implant post. Because implants require oral surgery, successful candidates need sufficient bone and healthy gums.

With proper use of the latest analgesics and medications, your dentist can adequately control any pain and discomfort during the procedure. Implants can replace a single tooth or a many teeth, and they can also anchor bridges or dentures. For more information on dental implants, contact your dentist.