Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. With implants, prosthetic teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures, are more secure and won’t slip or slide around inside your mouth. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or an entire set of top or bottom teeth.

Illinois Dental Center of Belmont offers All-on-4® implants, a type of implant-supported denture. When a denture is implant-supported, it means implants anchor it in place securely and comfortably, restoring your smile and facial structure. The All-on-4 method uses just four implants to hold an entire arch in place.

Since implants naturally fuse to your jawbone, you need a strong jawbone to support them. Without sufficient bone, implants aren’t a feasible dental restoration option.

How does the procedure for dental implants work?

Your Illinois Dental Center of Belmont dentist places you under anesthesia prior to oral surgery for implants. Then, using a special dental drill, your dentist implants the titanium post directly into your jawbone. You’ll have a temporary prosthetic attached to the implant so you leave your first visit with an enhanced smile.

After the procedure, your jawbone needs ample time to heal. During this process, which is called osseointegration, the implant naturally fuses to your jawbone. This usually takes a few months.

Once your jawbone has healed, you’ll return for a follow-up visit. At this visit, your dentist attaches your permanent prosthetic to your implant.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Gaps in your teeth are unhealthy. When there’s an empty space in your smile, neighboring teeth tend to shift over into those empty spaces, causing them to grow crooked.

Once your teeth become crooked, they’re much harder to keep clean. Pockets can form where bacteria from the food you eat can accumulate and lead to inflammation. Over time, this increases your risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

Implants fill gaps in your smile and prevent harmful tooth shifting. They also improve functions that are affected by missing teeth, including chewing, speaking, and digestion.

How long do dental implants last?

As long as you take excellent care of your implants, there’s no reason they can’t last you a lifetime. That means continuing to practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss twice a day and maintain your regular dental exams and professional cleanings at Illinois Dental Center of Belmont.

If you’d like to learn more about implants, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.