What is a dental implant?

What is a dental implant?

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw bone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in an area where a tooth may have been lost or injured. There are two types of dental implants:

·  Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most commonly used type of implant. The various types include screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. An implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth. These types of implants are generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

·  Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw bone with the posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis (dentures). These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and who have minimal bone height.

What can I expect after receiving a dental implant?

Dental implants are very much like your natural teeth and require thorough at home oral care and regular dental visits. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply. After your implant treatment, your periodontist or hygienist will work closely with you and your dentist to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The ideal candidates for dental implants are patients who are in good general and oral health. Patient’s needs to have healthy gum tissues, adequate bone levels and that are free of periodontal disease; as dental implants are intimately connected with the gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth, a patient with periodontal disease will not be a good candidate.

Call us today to consult with your dentist to help decide if this treatment is the right one for you.