Dental Implant 101 – Everything You Need to Know

Are you missing teeth? One of the great things about today is that you don’t need to settle for a smile that you aren’t comfortable showing off. You have a variety of different tooth replacement options to choose from. Dental implants have become preferred because of their numerous benefits. Read on to learn the basics of dental implants so you can make an informed decision about the future of your smile.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium, screwlike posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone in order to replace the root of a missing tooth. After the procedure, the jawbone will grow around and fuse with the implant in a process known as osseointegration. A dental crown is placed on the end of the implant in order to fill the gap between the adjacent teeth. The crown is customized to be the exact size, shape, and color needed to blend in with the rest of your smile.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

There are more than 3 million Americans who are already reaping the benefits of dental implants. Here are just a few of their advantages:

• Increased comfort: Dentures don’t feel like natural teeth, but when dental implants heal, you will notice that they feel very similar to the rest of your pearly whites. You may even forget that they’re implants.
• Easy maintenance: If you have dentures, your shopping list likely consists of adhesives and soaking solutions. For implants, you just care for them how you do with your natural teeth. You just need to brush, floss, rinse, and see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
• Eat what you want: While your implants are still healing, you will need to stick to softer foods, but afterwards, you won’t need to deal with any restrictions. Dental implants restore up to 90% of your natural chewing power, so you won’t need to limit your menu.
• Long-lasting: Dentures and other tooth replacement options need to be repaired and replaced periodically, but implants can last upwards of 25 years or even the rest of your life with proper care. You may never need to worry about your missing teeth again.
• Prevents bone loss: Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option out there that replaces the root of the missing tooth, therefore causing stimulation through regular chewing. This prevents jawbone deterioration over time.

When it comes to tooth replacement options, dental implants have all sorts of benefits that you can’t find anywhere else. Talk to your dentist to find out if you would make a good candidate. You will be showing off your smile with pride again in no time!

About the Author

Dr. Jayme Martinez earned his dental doctorate from Baylor College of Dentistry and regular participates in continuing education, including in advanced skills like dental sleep medicine, cosmetic dentistry, and implant dentistry. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Dallas County Dental Society. For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (214) 303-9969.