Over 500,000 dental implant procedures occur yearly in the U.S. alone, making them one of the most popular solutions for replacing broken teeth and restoring smiles — and for good reason.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for the root of your tooth. It consists of three parts:
- The implant: A small screw-shaped post, usually made of titanium or ceramic.
- The abutment: A connector that is placed on the implant, holding the crown in place.
- The crown: This is the artificial tooth in direct contact with the abutment. It is custom-made to look and function like your natural teeth.
Different Types of Dental Implants
There are two main types of dental implants:
- Endosteal implants: These are the most common type. They are typically in close contact with the jawbone. After the area heals, a second surgery is done to connect the abutment to the implant. The crown is then attached.
- Subperiosteal implants: These implants are placed under the gum but above the jawbone. When there isn’t enough healthy jawbone available and bone augmentation isn’t an option, we use subperiosteal implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Preliminary Consultation
The first step is a visit to your dentist for a consultation. During this visit, your dentist checks your mouth and assesses your treatment goals, your lifestyle, and your overall oral health to determine if dental implants are right for you, or if another smile restoration treatment might be better suited.
Oral Health Check
Next, your dentist will perform a thorough oral health check to ensure your jaw bone is strong enough to support the implant. If it isn’t, other treatments will be recommended as a first step before dental implant installation.
Installation
The implant procedure itself is typically done under local anesthesia. You can expect:
- Incision: Your dentist makes a small cut in your gum to expose the root.
- Drilling: A small hole is drilled into the bone where the implant will go.
- Insertion: The implant is placed into the hole.
- Closing: The gum is stitched up over the implant.
Post-Operative Instructions
After the surgery, your dentist will give you detailed instructions for recovery. These may include:
- What foods to eat and avoid to aid healing
- How to keep the area clean to prevent infection
- Guidance on taking any prescribed pain relievers or antibiotics
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide several benefits that last as long as your new smile.
- Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They improve your appearance and boost your self-confidence.
- They provide a stable and secure foundation for better chewing. You get to enjoy your favorite foods without worry and speak clearly.
- Implants prevent bone loss by stimulating the jawbone, just like natural tooth roots.
- With proper care, implants can last 10-20 years on average. They are more durable than other tooth replacement options.
- Implants prevent facial sagging and premature aging often associated with tooth loss.
- Dental implants are easy to care for. All you need do is to brush and floss them like natural teeth.
- By filling gaps left by a broken tooth, dental implants help improve your oral health. They reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease in the adjacent teeth.
- Unlike dentures, dental implants do not move around and cause irritation or discomfort.
Discover the Benefits of Dental Implants at Grove City Smiles
For more information about dental implants, make an appointment with Grove City Smiles. We offer implants and other dental emergency solutions, and we're happy to help you discover how dental implants can benefit you.
