Over the years, there have been extraordinary advances in the dental community, ranging from better ways to improve your oral hygiene to more effective ways of replacing problem areas. However, even with the dramatic improvements, millions of Americans still lose there teeth. The main causes of tooth loss are gum disease, bad oral hygiene, and injury. Dental Implants give you a new option to replace your tooth roots, versus the older methods of dentures or bridges.  Dental Implants replace the roots of your teeth. This provides you with a strong foundation for your permanent teeth or replacement teeth that are removable. The best thing about Dental Implants is they have a very high success rate, in the high 90’s, and can last a lifetime if your properly maintain them, with good oral hygiene.

What to expect?

Initially, you have to consult with you cosmetic dentist to find out if you are right for the procedure. You will need to have healthy gums and enough bone in the area to hold the implant. You also must practice good oral hygiene. Just like all cosmetic dental procedures, each case is unique and some people will be, and some won’t be a good candidate for this procedure. The only way to find out is by consulting with a cosmetic dentist, who can give you all your possible options.

The cosmetic dentist will place a tooth root implant, a small titanium post, into your bone socket of the absent tooth. It will take anywhere for 5 – 11 weeks for this to heal. While healing, the jawbone grows around the tooth root implant, which secures it into the jaw.

Once the dental implant is secure in the jawbone, an abutment (a tiny connector post) is attached to securely clutch the new tooth. In order for your cosmetic dentist to create your new tooth, he/she will make a molding or impression of your mouth, so a replica of you bite can be made, and your new tooth will be built around that. Your replacement tooth, a dental crown, is then attached. Your cosmetic dentist is able to match the color of your new tooth or teeth, to your natural teeth, for a natural look. The replacement tooth will feel natural, look natural and function naturally.

Pros of Dental Implants:

• They look real and are permanent, if taken care of properly
• Unlike dentures, they will not slip out of your mouth, which makes eating, speaking and just overall durability much better
• Because they are permanent, they are very comfortable
• A great way to enhance your smile, as they appear very natural
• Surveys show that there is very little discomfort in this procedure

Cons of Dental Implants:

• After the procedure, there is some minor soreness involved, but usually nothing a Tylenol or Advil can not solve.
• It is a bit longer process than other procedures, in the sense of time to heal and the actual procedure time.