Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small posts inserted into your jaw and replace your natural tooth roots where you have missing teeth. Implants hold your replacement teeth firmly in place, so they look and feel natural. 

Implants also prevent bone resorption, which occurs when you lose a tooth. The bone in your jaw slowly resorbs back into your body, changing the shape of your face and putting you at risk of further tooth loss.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

When compared to alternative tooth replacement treatments, dental implants look and feel more like your real teeth. You don’t have to worry about cleaning your gums and dentures as you do with dentures alone, and you can brush and floss like you normally would.

There are many reasons that the providers at A to Z Dental Studio may recommend dental implants. Implants can:

• Support bridges and dentures
• Replace missing teeth
• Restore chewing and speech abilities
• Improve confidence
• Enhance appearance
• Resolve joint pain
• Reduce bite problems

Dental implants are strong and durable. They can last for 25 years or more with the right care.

What is the process like for dental implants?

Dental implants typically take months to plan and place. A to Z Dental Studio teams directly with an implant specialist, who comes in to examine your mouth.

After your first visit, your provider examines your teeth and gums before taking X-rays and, possibly, CT scans. The practice has an in-office CT machine, so they never have to refer you to another specialist. This highly detailed imaging helps the team see your underlying tooth-supporting structures, so they know where to place the implants for the best results.

If you don’t have enough bone in your jaw to hold your implants, your provider may recommend a bone graft to add supporting bone to your jaw prior to your procedure.

Your provider uses anesthesia to ease your discomfort before placing your implant into the empty socket left behind from your missing tooth. Your provider will take impressions once your mouth heals. It can take up to six months for your mouth to fully heal after implant surgery. 

At the final visit, your provider connects your replacement teeth to your implants to fully restore your smile.

Dental implants are the closest replacement you can get to your natural teeth. To find out if they’re right for you, call A to Z Dental Studio, or book an appointment online today.