What is a Dental Implant and is it for me?  People are living longer than ever. While regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health.

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone.   The “root” is usually made of titanium, the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal well suited to pairing with human bone.

A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

The ideal candidate for implants is a non–smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.

Single or multiple implants

Implants are versatile. Also, if you are missing only one tooth, an implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth).

Another situation might be if you have lost all your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.

Advantages over dentures or bridges

Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force.

And because they don’t directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don’t compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are expected to last only seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants typically last as long as you live.

Post–treatment care

Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.

How long do dental implants last?

With proper care and oral hygiene, dental implants can last for more than 40 years. Regular dental checkups ensure that not only the dental implant itself is healthy but also the surrounding teeth around them are also healthy.

How are dental implants placed?

There are three stages to a dental implant. The first is that a small hole is drilled into the site where the tooth is missing. The actual dental implant is then placed into this hole and  is given time to heal and adapt to the jaw bone. The dentist will then attach an abutment to the implant which will allow the crown or bridge to attach to your mouth.

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