What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a frame or post used to simulate the root of a tooth. Your dentist may recommend a dental implant procedure if you are missing a tooth.
A common dental implant procedure will consist of a titanium screw being placed into the jawbone, just beneath the gum line, and a replacement tooth (usually made of porcelain) will be affixed to it. Implants have a number of benefits, including being a more secure alternative than dentures, which can shift around in the mouth and impair speech and eating. To see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, a visit to the dentist for an examination is required. If you do end up qualifying, you’ll be receiving a procedure with numerous advantages.
Minimally Invasive
One of the many benefits of receiving a dental implant is that it's comfortable and minimally invasive. For many patients, it’s even a same-day procedure, though the duration of treatment does vary person to person.
Low Maintenance
Your dental implant requires little out of the way of caring for natural teeth. Care and maintenance for your dental implant should include brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. Keeping up with regular dentist visits ensures the health of not only your implant but the rest of your teeth as well.
Convenient
Unlike the alternatives to dental implants, like dentures, implants don’t have to be (and can’t be) removed to perform tasks sleeping. Because implants are fused to the jaw bone, you also don’t have to worry about your implant shifting and impairing speech or eating, as one may face with traditional dentures.
Improved Dental function & Aesthetics
With the addition of a sturdy new tooth, you will find you’ll have an easier time performing tasks like eating and speaking. Implants are also made to look just like your natural teeth so that you can be confident in your smile again.
Durable
Alternatives, like dentures, can be fragile, and require you to be extra careful about your diet. While it’s good policy to avoid hard, brittle foods or using your teeth as tools to open things with even your natural teeth, dental implants are designed to mimic the durability of your natural teeth. Being physically fused with the jaw and the fracture resistant quality of dental grade porcelain also makes your implant sturdier than other alternatives. With dental implants, you also won’t ever have to worry about them decaying.
Are you ready to get your smile back? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Brian Hokanson to see if dental implants are right for you!