Dental implants have quickly become the most preferred solution to treat tooth loss because they offer a long-term replacement using the closest option to your own natural teeth. With the success rate over 95 percent and the numerous benefits when compared to other forms of tooth replacement, more than 500,000 dental implants are placed each year. While dental implants are highly effective, many are a bit hesitant to receive implants because it involves undergoing a surgical procedure. As a dentist for dental implants in Pea Ridge, Combs & White Family Dentistry has everything you need to know about the dental implant procedure.
Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure
When you have even one missing tooth, your oral health and confidence are drastically decreased. An incomplete smile can easily be restored with dental implants. Dental implants involve surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone. This will act as a new tooth root as the jawbone naturally fuses to the implant to create a sturdy foundation for the prosthetic crown. As a result, you will have your missing tooth replaced with an option that very closely mimics the look and function of a natural tooth.
The process to receiving a dental implant can be quite lengthy and will require multiple appointments. During the initial consultation to determine if dental implants are right for you, your oral and overall health will be accessed. You must have healthy gums and adequate bone density to support the implant. In addition, you must be free from any medical conditions or lifestyle factors that hold the potential to cause implant failure.
If you are a candidate for dental implants, we refer you to an implant specialist to create a customized treatment plan. During the first phase of the procedure, the implant specialist will place the implant. This is an in-office procedure that is performed under local anesthesia to insert the titanium post into your jawbone. Then, you must wait for the jawbone to fuse to the implant post. This may take several months. During this time, you will need to keep the implant site clean and minimize irritation to the area.
After your jawbone has healed to the implant, an abutment is attached to the post to allow the gums to heal correctly for the prosthetic tooth. Finally, we attach a custom-made prosthetic crown to the abutment to restore your smile and oral health.
Now that you have a complete smile, you will need to maintain proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist to prevent infections. With the right home care and care from your dentist, you will have a lifelong solution to treat your tooth loss.
Your Dentist for Dental Implants
At Combs & White Family Dentistry, we provide a different dental experience when it comes to replacing teeth with dental implants. We are specially trained to provide our patients with the most preferred form of tooth replacement.
If you are ready to regain a complete smile, it is time to contact our office to schedule a consultation to see if dental implants are right for you.