Our Dental Services
Have a question?
Ask us.
Changing Lives...
One Smile at a Time.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are long-lasting tooth root replacements that are placed into the jawbone to simulate the root of a pre-existing tooth. For qualified patients, replacement teeth then can be restored immediately, returning a spectacular smile quickly–usually on the same day.
Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t move or shift, and they can last a lifetime, plus they provide long-lasting results that less-expensive alternatives sometimes fail to match.
A dental implant is composed of three parts: the titanium implant that fuses with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the portion of the implant that protrudes from the gum line; and the crown, which is created by the dentist and fitted onto the abutment for a natural appearance.
After remarkable advances in dentistry in recent years, dental implants have become a treatment of choice for people missing one, a few, or all their teeth, and for those with failing teeth or severe periodontal disease. Dental implants look and perform more like natural teeth. They are rooted in the bone, there is no artificial plastic on the roof of the mouth, and the need for adhesives and denture creams is eliminated. More important, the use of dental implants does not impact healthy adjacent teeth
Implants also help maintain our jawbone, just like natural teeth. Bone is like muscle, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. When we bite on our natural teeth, the force or stress is transferred from the root of the tooth to the inside of the bone. The bone responds to this stress by building itself up and becoming denser, just like we were exercising it. Implants do the exact same thing.
If we do not replace the lost roots with implants, the bone will begin to atrophy or shrink away. This is why people with dentures begin to lose their facial support and can look older, and shrunken, and implants can help provide a more natural looking smile for those that would normally have chosen to just go with dentures.
Who is the right candidate for dental implants?
How should I prepare for my dental implant procedure?
Note that the first part of the process is usually an evaluation with Dr. Dube; during this consultation, you will be given information about whether or not you are a good candidate, what you can expect from the process, and so forth. Then comes the placement of the implants; this is usually done in a single visit to the office. From there, you will likely be on a slightly modified diet—one favoring liquids and soft foods—for a couple of weeks, after which time it is possible to resume your normal eating habits.
Additionally, note that you may have to wear a denture or a dental bridge for the first three to six months.
After that, there are a couple of additional follow-up visits required to ensure that the implants are working effectively, and ultimately to “try-in” your new teeth. In total, the entire process will span anywhere from five to eight months, though dietary limitations only last for a couple of weeks.
Many patients will also want to know how painful the recovery process is. Thankfully, it is generally not a very painful process, and while some discomfort is likely, it is usually minor enough that a regular dosage of Advil or Tylenol can remedy the problem and provide some comfort.
For more information about dental implants, or to schedule an evaluation, contact us today at:
(910) 791-0986