Dental Implants Explained
In short, dental implants are small, artificial tooth roots that resemble a screw. Often they are made of titanium and act as a “post” to replace your missing tooth root.
Dental implants are placed in your jawbone so that they can bond with your natural bone and essentially become a sturdy base for supporting one or more custom-made crowns.
Unlike dentures, dental implants are not removable so there is no risk of them slipping at inopportune times.
What to Expect for the Procedure
You can expect the entire dental implant placement to take several months. This is because the implant itself needs time to successfully anchor to your jawbone through a process called osseointegration.
If you are determined to be a candidate for dental implants, one of our dentists will schedule an appointment for the procedure. Should you require bone grafting before your dental implants, we can schedule that as well.
During the appointment, you’ll be given local anesthesia before the implant is placed in your jawbone. Because of the anesthesia, you should not feel any discomfort during the procedure but may feel sore post-surgery. The use of over-the-counter medication can help manage any pain.
As you heal over the next few months, the dental implant will fuse to your jaw and form a strong, long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth.
Our dentists will monitor your healing throughout this time. Once the implantation is complete, you will return to our office to have a porcelain crown placed over the implant. The placement of the crown will complete the process and give you the look and function of a natural tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are several advantages to having dental implants. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants:
- Are anchored to your jaw for long-lasting stability.
- Have no restrictions with regards to food.
- Prevent jawbone deterioration and further tooth loss.
If you’re looking for a way to replace missing teeth but don’t want the hassle of removable dentures, ask our Ann Arbor dentists about dental implants.
Dental Implant Care
Oral hygiene is just as important for dental implants as it is for your natural teeth. You should continue to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to avoid plaque buildup.
Be sure to stay on top of regular brushing and flossing as plaque can accumulate around your implants which can result in other oral complications. A routine teeth cleaning every 6 months is also recommended so that our dentists can monitor your implants as well as your entire mouth.
Schedule an Appointment
Interested in dental implants as a method to restore your smile?Our dental implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, are available to sit down with you and answer any questions you may have. Contact us online to schedule an appointment or call Excel Dental today at (734) 929-9999.
