Dental Implants

If you are hoping to find a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing or damaged teeth, dental implants might be right for you. These titanium implants act as normal, healthy teeth, so you can eat, speak, and smile comfortably and confidently.

Why Implants?

There are a number of reasons to consider getting dental implants to replace missing or damaged teeth, particularly as an alternative to dentures.

• They look and feel natural. These titanium implants are inserted into the gums, ultimately fusing with your jawbone. This makes them feel and act exactly like your normal teeth.
• They are permanent. Implants have a 98% success rate. By simply maintaining good oral hygiene, you can expect them to last your entire lifetime.
• They have structural benefits. Implants look great, but they also improve your facial structure. This makes speech, swallowing, and chewing much easier.
• They are easy to maintain. Don’t worry about any special cleaning methods. Just brush your implant as you would the rest of your teeth!

How They Work

Your dentist will work closely with you to create a treatment plan that works. This is a surgical procedure, so your dentist will need to use an anesthetic. (Please notify your dentist if you have any issues with anesthesia.) During the procedure, your dentist will insert a titanium implant into the gums, which will fuse with your jawbone over time. Once the location has healed, your dentist will place a crown, or prosthetic tooth, over the implant that is specially molded to fit with your mouth. The entire process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.

Your Next Steps

Thinking that dental implants may be the solution for you? Consider taking the following steps to move forward:

1. Your consultation. To see if implants are right for you, you will need to first schedule a consultation with your dentist. This will be a good opportunity to ask any questions about the procedure, recovery periods, and general maintenance.
2. Your treatment plan. You and your dentist will work together to determine the best possible treatment plan. Before you get started, however, they will need to consider a number of factors to determine if you are eligible for the procedure, including your health and jaw structure. Do you have any chronic illnesses? Are you a smoker? These may be more of a factor than your age in considering whether or not this procedure is right for you. It is also important that your jawbone can support a dental implant in order for it to work properly. You may require surgery to build up your jaw first, either with a sinus lift surgery or bone graft.
3. Recovery and maintenance. In many cases, the healing process only takes a few weeks after getting dental implants. Once they have healed, you will need to maintain good oral hygiene to keep your implants in good working condition. Your dentist will recommend a daily home care regimen, including daily flossing and brushing as well as special toothbrushes or mouthwash to help you prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Be sure to continue seeing the dentist every year for your routine biannual visits to keep your mouth in good health.

To schedule your consultation for dental implants, call the Oak Park Dental Group office today!