We’re Still LOVING Those Dental Implants!

In part one of our two-part series, we reviewed the pain points associated with toothlessness and dentures, and covered the benefits offered by dental implants. In part two, we will delve into the procedure so you know what to expect from treatment. Why? Because the folks at Dental Concepts feel that passionate about the functionality and confidence that dental implants offer.

The Problem With NOT Replacing Missing Teeth

If you’re missing a tooth in the rear part of your mouth, you may not be so concerned with replacing it. The problem is that even a single missing tooth can cause trouble with the teeth that remain. How?

1. In the absence of a tooth root, the jaw bone begins to weaken and deteriorate.
2. Each tooth serves as a placeholder for the others; when one is missing, the adjacent teeth begin to shift.
3. Misaligned teeth (especially those that overlap) are difficult to clean, potentially leading to further tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
4. Misaligned teeth can also make chewing and speaking difficult.

While there are other tooth replacement options available, only implants replace the tooth root and prevent the aforementioned problems from happening.

The Placement Procedure

The first step is to determine your candidacy for implants. If you are not “implant ready” at the time of your visit, we may suggest bone grafting to strengthen your jaw or periodontal treatments to restore your gums and connective tissue to optimum health. After we are confident that your jaw and gums are healthy enough, you can expect the following procedure:

1. A local anesthetic will be administered at the site of implant placement. If you are particularly nervous or pain-sensitive, you may decide to include additional sedation methods to increase your comfort.
2. Once you are sufficiently numb and comfortable, a surgeon will use special instruments to place a titanium implant (which resembles the threaded part of a screw) into your jaw.
3. Before your permanent prosthetic tooth is placed, your jaw and gums will need time to heal. Healing time is largely determined by the health of each patient and the number of implants required. As you wait to heal, we will provide temporary replacements until it is time for the placement of your permanent new teeth.
4. After you’ve healed, an abutment piece will be attached to the implant. Once it is securely in place, your final restoration will be attached. At that point, you can eat, speak, and smile without worry.

If this seems overwhelming, talk to us! We can walk you through each step until you’re comfortable with the idea. If you live in or near Boca Raton, Florida, we’d love to help you have the smile you’ve always wanted. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.