Missing teeth can be very inconvenient, hindering not just the appearance of your smile, but also your ability to eat and speak comfortably. Bridges and dentures are two effective and popular solutions for replacing missing teeth, restoring both the function and appearance of your smile, but dental implants may be a better choice. You can find this dental solution at Lutke Dental in Plano, TX.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small metal posts that are surgically inserted directly into your jawbone. A small portion of the post extends from the gums, onto which a tooth replacement is attached.
Benefits of dental implants
In addition to restoring your ability to eat and speak, dental implants offer several other benefits. Because they are placed directly into the jawbone, they stimulate the bone in that area, preventing bone recession. They are also much more stable than dentures or bridges, which can become loose or shift. Dental implants essentially act as the tooth root, providing a solution that feels like natural teeth. They are also easier to clean and maintain than either dentures or bridges.
Procedure
Before placing implants, your dentist at Lutke Dental will ensure that you have sufficient bone structure to support the implants. If there is not, a bone graft can first take place to build up the bone and prepare it for the implant procedure.
Dental implants require at least two appointments to be placed, over the course of several months. During your first visit, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum line over the site of the missing tooth or teeth. One implant can support more than one tooth replacement. The underlying bone will then be prepared to receive the implant and the post will be put in place. The gum tissue will be replaced over the site and stitched closed. It will be left for approximately four months to give the implant sufficient time to fuse completely into the jawbone. Once the implant is ready, the artificial tooth/teeth, usually a crown, will be attached to the post. With good maintenance, you can enjoy the use of your implants for a lifetime.
For more information about dental implants and to learn whether or not you are a candidate for the procedure, come see us at Lutke Dental in Plano.
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