Are you thinking about getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth? At Radiance Dental, we encourage our patients to weigh their options when it comes to replacing their missing teeth, and dental implants are an option that needs serious consideration. Dental implant therapy is second to none when you want fixed, comfortable replacement teeth.
Whether you’ve suffered from tooth loss because of injury, gum disease, or something else, implants are unlike dentures when it comes to rehabilitating your smile. It’s almost like having healthy teeth all over again. If you’re considering implant surgery and how it compares to natural teeth, here’s everything you need to know about investing in a dental implant procedure:
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are not removable appliances like partials or dentures. Instead, dental implants require a fixed restoration that’s permanently set into your jaw bone alongside other teeth in your mouth.
When you get dental implants installed, a small titanium screw is placed to mimic the root of a natural tooth. It essentially consists of three components and serves as an anchor for your replacement tooth with a fixed restoration attached on top of it to fill in your smile. Implants are about the same size as natural teeth and are crafted from hypoallergenic, biocompatible material. Even if you’ve had periodontal disease or bone loss in the past, it may still be an option to replace multiple teeth using pairs or small sets of implants. With good oral hygiene, most patients find that implants offer a permanent solution that gives them natural-looking teeth for life.
Keep in mind that dental implants are the “root” portion of your new teeth. They do not make up the visible part of the tooth that you see when you smile. Your complete tooth replacement will include some type of fixed restoration that goes over the top of your dental implants, such as a crown, bridge, or hybrid “All-on-4” type of prosthesis.
Should I Consider Dental Implants?
If you lose a permanent tooth because of serious injury, periodontal disease, or unrestorable tooth decay, then you may want to consider replacing it with a dental implant in Camas, WA. From both a cosmetic and functional standpoint, dental implant surgery is one of the best ways to replace a missing tooth. They do not impact surrounding teeth in any negative way, shape, or form. In fact, they actually reinforce your surrounding teeth by promoting healthy bone and tooth spacing. In addition, they are the only tooth replacement that is non-invasive to healthy teeth.
Although having a dental implant installed does require minimal oral surgery, the actual tooth replacement can be completed using only a small amount of numbing medication. The treatment process is usually quite straightforward, leaving minimal impact on the surrounding gums and bone tissue. As a result, your recovery time is predictable and comfortable. Only an over-the-counter pain reliever may be necessary, if any at all.
Unlike bridges or dentures that can wear down surrounding teeth, your new dental implant stands independent of all other natural teeth inside your mouth. Plus, dental implants reduce bone loss and premature aging because of the way they add physical support to your oral anatomy. So your oral health and your appearance will be better for it!
What Qualifies You For Dental Implants?
Who is a candidate for dental implants? First of all, it will need to be someone who has adequate bone density and size to anchor the implant inside of it. If there are any problematic teeth, they will need to be extracted by our dentist ahead of time. If the bone is weak, our dentist may be able to place a graft to help reinforce the new “tooth” once it’s installed. Healthy bone integration will ultimately affect the success of your treatment, so a medical clearance will be necessary just as much as a commitment to proper everyday care once you return home.
We’ll want to make sure you have healthy gums and bone density during your initial consultation and exam. Then, if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, we can draft an oral surgery care plan outlining the tooth replacement process. Even if you want to consider dental implants but are also considering removable dentures, we can discuss the pros and cons of each of your tooth replacement options as it pertains to your unique smile. The good news is that with our support, you’ll play a key role in co-planning the replacement of your missing teeth.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Radiance Dental in Camas offers state-of-the-art implant therapy for patients of all ages. We often see significant improvement in both the personality and physical health of our implant clients. Most people choosing dental implants find that they feel more confident after their smile is restored.
Not only can our patients look and feel great wherever they go, but dental implants also serve as a way to enjoy all of their favorite foods again. If you’ve found that certain meals with hard, crunchy, or chewy foods are off-limits because of missing teeth, dental implants will give you a new reason to smile. Biting and chewing with an implant is nearly identical to the way you once ate with natural teeth.
Let Us Know How We Can Help
Implant dentistry uses “artificial teeth” placed into the bone to restore a person’s smile. You can think of implants like an artificial tooth root. Modern dental care now considers implants the standard when replacing a missing tooth, rather than traditional treatments like bridges or dentures. Fully integrated dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, an integrated dental implant is even stronger than a healthy anatomical tooth.
There are several reasons to consider dental implants, but the fact that they can last for the rest of your life is one of the reasons why we highly recommend this tooth replacement option.
At Radiance Dental, we want you to have the best teeth and the most attractive smile possible. To find out whether or not implants are best for you, contact our offices in Camas, WA, to request a consultation.
