Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a type of oral restoration that mimics your natural tooth roots. During dental implant surgery, your dentist places a series of small, metal posts into the sockets of your missing teeth. 

After surgery, you return home for a recovery period, during which your bone grows around your implants, fusing them to your jaw. 

In addition to restoring the aesthetic appearance of your smile, dental implants prevent common problems associated with tooth loss, including gum recession and bone loss. 

If you’re missing one or more permanent teeth and you’re relatively healthy, dental implants are worth considering. 

What are some advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants present an array of benefits, including:

• Improved appearance
• Improved chewing ability
• Improved speaking ability
• Easier eating
• Durability

Dental implants are also convenient. Unlike traditional dentures, there’s no need for sticky adhesives or overnight cleaning solutions. You care for your dental implants just like you would your natural, permanent teeth. 

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

The team at 54th Street Dental can help you determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. However, there are certain criteria you should meet, including:

• Having good general health
• Having good oral health
• Having a strong and healthy jawbone
• Having healthy gum tissue

You might also be a candidate for dental implants if you’re unable or unwilling to wear traditional dentures and you don’t use tobacco products. 

What is receiving dental implants like?

Receiving dental implants usually takes between 6-12 months, which involves a series of appointments. At your initial consultation, your 54th Street Dental provider performs an oral exam and takes a series of X-rays to get a better look at your tooth roots and jawbone. 

If your jawbone and gums are healthy and there aren’t any signs of infection, your dentist moves forward with treatment. After administering a local anesthetic, your dentist places a metal post into the socket of each missing tooth. 

Following surgery, your dentist provides you with a list of recovery instructions and you return home. During your recovery period, your bone grows around your implants, holding them in place.

Three to four months later, you return to 54th Street Dental and your dentist takes impressions of your remaining teeth. Your dentist sends your impressions to a laboratory that manufactures your restorations in the form of a crown, bridge, or snap-on dentures. 

Several weeks later, you return to the office and your dentist attaches your restorations, either by screwing them in, snapping them on, or using dental cement. 

If you’re missing permanent teeth and want to improve your oral health, consider dental implants. Make an appointment at 54th Street Dental by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool today.