Dental implants are recognized as the most natural and permanent treatment for missing teeth because they restore natural beauty, feeling, and function, just like having your old teeth back again. We’ll discuss what they are and how they function here, and Dr. Dennis can help you determine if you are a candidate for them.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium root forms that are surgically placed in your jaw to replace missing tooth roots. Many people don’t understand that the root is one of the most important parts of the tooth. Once it is gone, the body begins to absorb the minerals in the jawbone that surrounded it. If you are missing many or all of your teeth, this process can lead, in as little as ten to twenty years, to a serious health condition called facial collapse. (Read more about facial collapse.)
But a dental implant replaces the missing root. During the healing process, the body will restore the bone material through a process called osseointegration, filling in more bone until the root form is integrated into the jaw itself. The presence of the dental implant signals the body that the bone is needed, so it will not be absorbed.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The root form is placed during a surgical procedure, and the healing period can last from two to six months. Once it is completely healed, Dr. Dennis will create a ceramic crown in her office that mimics the beauty and translucency of a natural tooth. No one will be able to tell that it is not your natural tooth.
Dental Implants Can Support Dentures
Dental implants can also be used to support partial and full dentures, and this can solve some of the problems people experience with removable dentures. People who go from removable dentures to implant-supported dentures will most often tell you that they can enjoy their food more easily again. Implant-supported dentures offer more stability and chewing efficiency because the dentures are no longer moving around in the mouth. People also feel they can taste their food better because the upper denture doesn’t need to cover the entire palate. And implant-supported dentures can also prevent facial collapse.
Choosing a Qualified Dentist
Dr. Dennis earned her dental implant credentials from the 3i Company, she partners with two oral surgeons who have advanced training in placing dental implants, and she also has advanced training in restoration of the implants.
Learn more by reading our implant overdentures page. And if you would like to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, please call our office or complete our request an appointment form.