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A dental implant is a small, titanium screw that functions like a natural tooth root. Implants can replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth.
The implant is surgically placed into the jaw bone, which allows it to bond with the natural bone and serve as an anchor for a tooth replacement, usually a crown or bridge. Once healed, a dental implant looks and functions much like a natural tooth!
There are many benefits to replacing a missing tooth. When a tooth is missing, the teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift out of place. The jaw bone around the area may also begin to deteriorate, resulting in a caved-in facial appearance or negatively impacting your ability to eat and talk.
The dental implant process requires a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
At the first appointment, the implant is surgically placed below the gumline. This procedure is typically done under local anesthesia and involves inserting a titanium post into the jaw bone to serve as a foundation for the artificial tooth.
After the procedure, a healing period is necessary to allow the implant to fuse with the jaw bone. This generally lasts between three and six months.
Once healing is complete, you will return to our office so a crown or bridge can be fitted on top of the implant. Our dentists take great care to help ensure that your dental implant is the right fit.
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Grasslands Dental Care.
If you care for your implant properly, it can last a lifetime. This includes proper brushing and flossing at home, as well as attending regular hygiene cleanings and exams at your dental office.
The longevity of a dental implant may also depend on other factors including nutrition, genetics, or the development of any dental diseases.
You should care for a dental implant just like you care for your natural teeth.
Visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments and maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home can help prevent decay or diseases from developing in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can negatively affect your dental implants.
During dental implant surgery, your dentist will administer anesthesia to make you more comfortable and so you don't feel pain during the procedure.
Following the surgery, there is not usually much discomfort. Most patients can manage any pain with an over-the-counter pain medication for a few days afterwards.
But you will need to eat a soft diet for the first couple of weeks after the implant procedure to avoid pain or irritation.
The entire dental implant process usually takes about three to six months to complete, depending on your treatment plan.
Your dentist can provide you with a more specific timeline based on your particular case.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of dental implants, some will only pay for a portion of the cost, and others won't pay for any part of it.
To determine what part, if any, of your dental implant treatment will be covered by your insurance, check with your insurance provider.
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