You've heard of dental implants, but have you ever thought of getting one to fill that gap in your smile? Millions of Americans have one or more of these realistic tooth replacements and enjoy their many benefits every single day. At Ramsey Family Dental, Drs. Robert Boff, Banafsheh Goujani, and Kenneth Gluck, all recommend dental implants for functional smiles that last.
What are dental implants?
Studied and developed in the mid-twentieth century, dental implants have come into their own over the past 30 years or so. The single implant has three parts:
- A titanium metal screw surgically inserted into the jaw bone at the site of tooth loss
- A metal abutment, or post, which extends above the gums
- A custom-crafted ceramic crown
Some people also qualify for multiple implant placement to support bridgework or dentures. These multi-tooth prosthetics outperform traditional tooth replacements by lasting longer and more closely imitating natural oral function.
The implant treatment
Dental implant placement takes several appointments at Ramsey Family Dental. The first qualifies you for treatment, as your dentist examines your bone structure, gums, and remaining teeth. For superior anchorage and longevity, dental implants require a healthy jaw bone which is large and dense enough to hold onto the implant.
The next appointment at Ramsey Family Dental includes the actual dental implant placement. The dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area before opening the gums and creating a small hole in the bone. The device is then inserted into the bone, and the gums are closed with sutures.
The last appointment happens after many weeks of healing and osseointegration. What's osseointegration? It's the most important benefit dental implants offer. When an implant is placed, the jaw bone begins adhering to the titanium device. This incredible process makes dental implants highly successful, stable, and long-lasting. When fully integrated, the implant receives its porcelain crown.
Other benefits of dental implants
1. Dental implants last for decades, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
2. They keep bone and gums healthy and sizable.
3. They avoid the slippage and instability of conventional bridges and dentures.
4. Natural teeth surrounding implants hold their natural positions, size, and shape.
5. Care is as easy as twice daily brushing and once a day flossing. Six-month exams and check-ups are important, too.
6. Dental implants look real and perform as well as healthy natural teeth.
Find out more
Your professional team at Ramsey Family Dental will help you decide if dental implants are right for your smile. If you have lost one or more teeth to decay, accident, gum disease or other unfortunate circumstance, call us today at (201) 327-3060.