A dental implant replaces a tooth that’s been lost. It restores chewing function and cosmetics. In the event your natural tooth is nonrestorable, Jeffery Linden, DDS, at Advanced Endodontic Specialists in South Barrington, Illinois, places dental implants that can replace your missing tooth and last a lifetime. Schedule a visit over the phone or request information online to find out more.
Dental implant Q & A
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed securely in the bone of your jaw. The post acts as the root for an artificial tooth, usually a crown, which is later placed atop the dental implant by your general dentist.
Getting a dental implant is a process that takes time before it is completed. After the extraction and bone graft, the site needs healing time. After this first healing phase, Dr. Linden will evaluate the site with digital and 3D imaging and perform a clinical examination. From there, the implant placement appointment will be scheduled.
During the surgery, Dr. Linden makes an incision in the gums to provide access to the jawbone where the previous tooth’s root once was. He embeds the implant in place before closing the incision.
Thanks to a complex process called osseointegration, your bone fuses with the titanium implant during the weeks of healing that come after the initial surgery.
Who can benefit from a dental implant?
Dental implants are an option for those who have lost teeth and are usually the best option to replace a missing tooth. Unlike a bridge, a dental implant does not compromise adjacent teeth, and oral hygiene is easier than cleaning under the bridge. Finally, a dental implant is the closest thing to a real tooth.
There are numerous reasons why you might lose a tooth at some point. When you come in for an initial consultation with Dr. Linden, he tells you whether a dental implant is a good treatment option if the tooth could not be saved.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
When you lose a tooth to disease, decay, or extraction for any purpose, you have a few options as to what comes next. You could get a removable denture or opt for a custom dental bridge that uses crowns on the teeth next to the gap to hold in a false tooth. Many people see implants as the superior option.
By replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, you can:
- Avoid the maintenance that comes with bridges
- Keep your teeth from shifting into the open gap
- Bite and chew normally and comfortably
- Speak clearly
Because your jawbone grows around the implant, the dental implant is the most permanent solution to replace a tooth. You might eventually need to replace the restoration, but even that can last for decades as long as you take great care of your mouth.
Learn more about dental implants and if they’re right for you by calling Advanced Endodontic Specialists or requesting an appointment online today.
