Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is often a great solution for missing teeth. A post is surgically implanted into your jawbone onto which a crown, or false tooth, is affixed. The implant can save your smile and promote oral health. With proper at-home hygiene, dental implants can last a lifetime.

What are the benefits of implants?

Implants look and feel natural. They offer a number of advantages over other tooth replacements such as dentures or bridges. Benefits of dental implants include:

• Improved smile, as they look natural and restore your missing teeth
• Natural speech, since you don’t have to worry about them slipping like you do with dentures
• Better chewing, because the implants feel natural and don’t move around as you eat
• Preservation of oral health, as the addition of implants doesn’t require other teeth to be modified
• Convenience, because you don’t have to remove them nightly or clean them separately from your existing teeth

You want to replace missing teeth so you look your best. Plus, when you have a tooth or teeth missing, it can lead to bone degradation and gum deterioration. Your other teeth may also start to shift into the space left by a missing tooth.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

You may be an ideal candidate for a dental implant if you’re missing a tooth due to periodontal (gum) disease, trauma, or another reason. As long as you have generally good oral health and at-home oral hygiene habits, you can benefit.

What is the process of getting a dental implant?

The team at Miami Healthy Smiles evaluates your oral health and tooth structure to create an individualized treatment plan. You then have the tooth root implant, a small post crafted of titanium, inserted into your jaw during an in-office procedure.

This post takes about 6-12 weeks to heal and allow the jawbone to grow around it. Once the healing process is complete, an abutment – or connector – is attached to the post. This abutment serves as the anchor for a crown.

The crown is crafted to match your teeth so it blends into your smile. Once the crown is affixed, your provider files it down to make sure it matches your bite.

To learn if a dental implant is the right tooth replacement option for you, call the office, or schedule a consultation online.