What You Need To Know About Dental Implants

While missing a tooth is not ideal, it is not the end of the world, either. Today, your Dallas, TX, dentist can treat this issue with a dental implant restoration. If you find yourself chewing or biting with difficulty, or maybe you do not smile as often because of a missing tooth, then an implant can help. It functions just like a regular tooth, and it can help stimulate your jawbone with the flow of nutrients throughout your body. Let us learn a bit more about them today.

They Are Designed To Completely Replace A Tooth

When a tooth is missing, its roots go missing, too. The jawbone needs those roots because when you bite or chew, they stimulate the bone, helping move nutrients through the body. This is how a dental implant can help. Shaped like small screws, they mimic roots. They are constructed of biocompatible titanium, and they can be an endosteal or subperiosteal type. Endosteal is most common and is placed in the jawbone. However, if someone does not have enough bone to set them in, then a subperiosteal is used by placing it above or on the jawbone, but under the gum tissue.   

How Exactly Is The Procedure Done?

An oral surgeon will conduct the procedure. It begins with a consultation with us so that we can inspect your teeth and gum tissue. This will help us decide which type of implant to use. Once that is determined, there will be two treatments. The first is when the implant is placed. Several months will take place between the first treatment and the next one. This gives the bone time to fuse with the implant and secure it in place. After it heals, it is time for the second treatment when the restoration, such as a dental crown, is added, along with an abutment to help hold it in. 

There Are Advantages To Having Them

Choosing an implant over another prosthetic option, like dental bridges or dentures, offers several advantages. These include their natural appearance, helping fix any biting or chewing problems you may have, their durability, and their sturdiness.

Do I Qualify For Them?

If you have lost one or more teeth, we recommend implants. And if you are worried about not having enough jawbone to hold them in, we can treat that, too, with a bone grafting. Also, please see us if you believe you have gum disease. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Or if you already have an implant, it could cause it to fail.   

Schedule An Appointment With Us Today!

Dental implants are a safe and common procedure to help you regain your bite and your smile. For more information, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).