Dental implants have allowed countless patients to rebuild their smiles after losing teeth due to injury, infection, and genetic conditions. These devise are the most effective way to replace lost teeth because they are surgically inserted into the jawbone, which allows the lifelike restorations mounted upon them to work and feel just like the real thing. Here’s a quick look at how dental implants are placed, the benefits they can provide, and why they are a smart investment in your appearance and oral health.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
Dental implants are placed through a specialized process that takes several steps. These include:
- The consultation: You meet with your dentist to determine the best way to replace your lost teeth. Based on an evaluation of your oral health and medical history, your provider may recommend dental implants, but you may need to have oral infections resolved before receiving the surgery.
- The surgery: The process always begins with the patient receiving an appropriate anesthetic to ensure their comfort. When you are ready, your dentist will surgically insert titanium pieces into your jawbone. Over the next few months, these titanium posts will fuse with your jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration.
- Abutment pieces: After your implants have fused with your jawbone, you will come back to your dentist’s office to receive the abutment pieces that will allow your restorations to be fixed to your implants.
- Final restorations: About two weeks after receiving your abutments, your dentist will anchor a beautiful customized restoration to your implants and check it for fit and bite. After any final adjustments, you’ll be able to begin using your new teeth.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Dental implants offer a wide range of impressive long-term benefits for your oral health, appearance, and budget that traditional restorations cannot match, which makes them an excellent investment in your well-being. A whopping 95% of implants placed are still functional after ten years, and many of them can last for decades if they receive excellent care. These devices also restore almost all the patient’s original chewing power, which can help them enjoy a more interesting diet and avoid health issues like indigestion and malnutrition.
Dental implants have also given many patients the power to smile proudly after losing teeth. This can help them make excellent first impressions during business or social situations and make it easier for them to meet people, build rapport, win trust, earn friends, and close sales. They may even help a candidate stand out from the competition when being considered for a new job or a promotion.
Don’t let tooth loss wreck your gorgeous smile and set you up for oral health issues like infections and uneven enamel erosion. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to replace your lost teeth.
About the Practice
Dr. Shane Smith earned his dental degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has received dental implant training from Nobel Biocare and Versah. His office in Jonesboro proudly offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as implant services. If you are interested in dental implants, contact his office online or dial (870) 932-2644.