General Dentistry: A Closer Look At Dental Implants
From the youngest child getting a pediatric root canal New York to an older adult receiving dental implants in Florida, good dental health is crucial at every age. Dental implants, a common practice in general dentistry, can sound complex and intimidating. But they don’t need to be. In this blog, we take a closer look at dental implants to help simplify and demystify them for you.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants serve as artificial tooth roots. These small titanium posts are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. They provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth.
Why choose dental implants?
Dental implants are the next best thing to your healthy, natural teeth. They are strong, stable, and do not compromise the health of your neighboring teeth. In fact, they help maintain jawbone health by reducing bone loss.
Comparison of Dental Implants and Other Tooth Replacement Options
| Replacement Option | Pros | Cons |
| Dental Implants | Looks and feels like your own teeth, promotes jawbone health, no need to remove for cleaning, can last a lifetime with proper care | Requires surgery, recovery can take several weeks, more expensive upfront |
| Dentures | Less expensive upfront, no surgery required, relatively quick solution | May not fit perfectly causing discomfort and difficulty eating, can move or click when you talk or eat, need to be removed for cleaning |
Who can get dental implants?
People of all ages can get dental implants, from a teenager who’s lost a tooth in a sports injury to an older adult who’s experienced tooth loss due to age or disease. The key requirement is that the jawbone is fully grown, and the gums are healthy.
What is the process for getting dental implants?
The process for getting dental implants usually involves several steps. First, the dentist will surgically place the implant into the jawbone. Then, they allow the jawbone to grow around the implant. This process, known as osseointegration, can take several weeks or even months. Finally, once the implant is stable, the dentist will attach a replacement tooth.
I hope this closer look at dental implants has helped to simplify and demystify this common dental procedure for you.
