Dental Implants
Dental Implants
Losing a permanent tooth is more than a cosmetic issue: it can make it harder to eat and speak, impact your quality of life, and lead to further tooth loss in the long term. For that reason, dentists recommend restoring your smile with dental implants in Collegeville, PA, right away.
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, offering excellent support and long-term stability. At Collegeville Dental, we offer implant placement as well as same-day crown restorations with CEREC® in-office crown manufacturing.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone by a dentist or periodontist—a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. Then a prosthetic tooth can be attached, whether a single dental crown, a dental bridge, or even partial or full arch dentures.
These teeth are custom-designed, resulting in a very natural look. Additionally, implants are strong and durable and will last many years—even a lifetime, with proper care. On occasion, they may only need to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.
Why Would I Need an Implant?
Dental implants are a flexible treatment for patients with teeth that have been severely damaged by decay and cannot be saved.
Because they can last a lifetime with proper care, implants provide patients with a long-term solution to tooth loss. Replacing teeth with implants is often the more economically-savvy option, as other restorations like bridges and dentures may require frequent replacement to maintain oral health.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
Implants are considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, but they do require certain conditions.
First of all, a healthy jawbone is fundamental, so explore this procedure, as the implant post needs a strong base to attach to. Additionally, healthy gums and a commitment to treatment are crucial to avoid postoperative infections. Practices like smoking, for example, are associated with implant failure.
Besides meeting these requirements, great candidates for dental implants include:
- Wanting to replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Wanting to resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into the missing tooth space.
- Wanting to restore your smile with confidence.
- Wanting to restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
- Wanting to restore or enhance facial tissues.
What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?
The process of getting implants involves several visits over several months. These are some common steps:
- First, X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine the bone and gum tissue available for an implant, as well as the spacing available for an implant.
- On the implant placement day, the area is numbed, and the implant will be surgically placed into the bone. Then, up to 6 months may pass before the titanium post integrates with your jawbone, a process known as osseointegration.
- Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth. With other implants, the post and anchor are already attached and placed together.
- After several weeks of healing, the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor.
Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete. After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing the patient with excellent stability and comfort.
How Do I Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene and eating habits, along with regular dental visits, will help prolong the life of your new implant.
Recover Your Full Smile with Dental Implants in Collegeville, PA
Losing a natural tooth is natural—in fact, by age 50, most Americans have lost at least one tooth. Nevertheless, exploring possible dental restorations afterwards is crucial to keep your smile in top condition.
If not, the surrounding teeth may shift into the available space, leading to misalignment, jawbone loss, and even tooth loss in the long term. To avoid that, reach out to Collegeville Dental Center—and let’s look for the ideal restorative solution for you, together.
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