Designed to act as artificial tooth roots, dental implants are often made of titanium and are surgically placed by our Jacksonville and Live Oak, FL, dentists to provide a sturdy foundation for a crown. Implants are a durable and natural-looking solution for missing teeth, offering improved chewing and much needed jawbone stimulation compared to more traditional options that sit on top of the gum line.
Here’s what you need to know about and if they’re right for you.
Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants
The top qualification that can put you in the running for the dental implant procedure is whether you have one or more missing teeth. It’s a good sign if you also have a fully grown jawbone that has enough bone to support an implant, though our dentists can recommend you receive a bone graft before placement occurs.
Moreover, getting dental implants may be ideal for you if you:
- Have healthy gums and other oral tissues
- Don’t have a condition that may affect healing and recovery
- Want to improve your chewing and speaking abilities
- Don’t like the idea of wearing removable dentures
- Are prepared to commit a few months to the process
- Aren’t a smoker or tobacco user
If a doesn’t end up being your cup of tea after all, don’t fret. Our dentists can recommend other options built to restore your smile such as dental bridges or dentures.
The Multi-Step Process
Our dentists will start out by meeting with you one-on-one and thoroughly examining your smile. We may need to also take X-rays to see what’s going on below the gum line. Both components are instrumental in crafting a highly personalized treatment plan and will give our team insight into the number of dental implants needed as well as the current state of your oral health.
With a plan in place, our dentists will schedule and perform the dental implant surgery. A healing period is required afterwards for osseointegration, a natural process that involves the implant fusing with the surrounding bone tissue. This can take several months, during which you may be given a temporary restoration to maintain appearance and function.
It isn’t until the implant is fully fused and the area is healed that we’ll complete the restoration with an abutment (connector piece) and a dental crown.
Consult With Our Dentists About Dental Implants
Like what you see and want more information about this type of restoration? Our , can walk you through all that the procedure requires in terms of your oral health going into it and the possibility of bone grafting if necessary. Call one of our Higgins & White Dentistry locations today to request an appointment.