A Brief Guide to Dental Implants
When dental patients lose a tooth, it’s important to get it replaced as quickly as possible. Fortunately, today’s dental technology provides an array of dental solutions ranging from dentures and bridges to dental implants. If your dentist has suggested that implants might be the best option for your tooth replacement needs, it’s vital to understand as much as you can about this state-of-the-art dental tool. To help with that process, we’ve compiled some basic information about dental implants that every patient needs to know.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a titanium tooth replacement that looks like a screw. Dentists rely on titanium because the metal has a unique property that enables it to bond with your bone – providing a more natural fit and increased strength durability. To understand how durable these implants can be, it’s helpful to compare them to traditional dental bridges. The average bridge lasts about five or seven years before your dentist will have to replace it. Your implant can last a lifetime!
How Can Dental Implants Benefit Me?
A dental implant will provide you with a host of benefits. Unlike dentures, you never have to worry about sealing the implant or getting a proper fit when you wear it – because it is grafted to your bone. In addition, your implant will:
- Improve your smile. Today’s implants are indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
- Protect adjacent teeth and overall dental integrity by preventing bone loss and tooth shifting.
- Restore dental function. Your dental implant will be just as functional as any of the other teeth in your mouth – enabling you to once again chew and eat as you did before you lost your tooth.
- Give you the self-confidence you need to enjoy your active lifestyle.
How Are Implants Placed in My Mouth?
The dental implant process can vary from patient to patient, depending on unique circumstances. It does take place over several months, however, as there is dental surgery involved – and the body needs time to heal between implantation and tooth restoration. Your dentist will insert the implant and provide a temporary covering. Then there is a period of healing that can range from three to nine months. After the implant is properly bonded to the bone, your dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant so that it perfectly matches the rest of your teeth.
Are Dental Implants Reliable?
Yes! Dental implant technology has grown by leaps and bounds in recent decades, and now provides a reliable and effective replacement option for patients suffering from missing teeth. Many in the dental industry consider implants to be a more predictably reliable solution than many other dental replacement options.
At Ebenezer Dental, our mission is to provide every patient with the best tooth replacement solutions available today. If you’ve lost a tooth – or several teeth – and are interested in learning more about your replacement options, give us a call to schedule your appointment with the best dentist in midtown Manhattan.