Why Dental Implants are the Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth
Jan 17, 2023
If you have a gap in your smile, you’ve got some choices when it comes to filling it. One thing is certain — letting the gap languish puts you at risk for a range of complications, including unwanted tooth shifting, an increased risk of decay to the teeth on either side of the gap, bone loss around the gap, and more.
An ideal solution for filling your gap safely, permanently, and beautifully is with a dental implant, a small titanium post that we implant in your gum during a minor surgical procedure.
The expert and caring dentists at Plaza Dental Group in West Des Moines, Iowa, not only have valuable experience placing dental implants, but they also can put you at ease about the procedure by answering any questions and concerns you may have. The entire Plaza team is dedicated to your comfort and optimal oral health, so there’s no doubt you’re in the best hands.
Dental implants are ingenious and sturdy solutions for a missing tooth or teeth because they’re:
Best of all, they restore the healthy and beautiful look of your smile and you can feel confident allowing your teeth to be seen again. In fact, patients report a satisfaction rate as high as 98% when it comes to reviewing their experiences with dental implants.
With an implant, the titanium post acts as your new tooth root, and your crown or implant-support denture is placed atop it during a simple in-office procedure.
After placement, your implant gradually fuses to your jawbone, making it a welcome, long-term answer for the dilemma of a missing tooth. Your implant-supported denture or crown can be replaced if needed, but your implant stays put forever.
First, your dentist evaluates your gum health and bone viability to make sure that you’re a good candidate for an implant. If they determine that you can go ahead with the procedure, the process involves a series of steps taken over the course of several months. These include:
During an office visit, your dentist makes a very small incision in your gum to accommodate your implant and places it. Patients who opt for implant-supported dentures or bridges require a number of implants.
After your implant is placed, you need to wait several months for the implant to fuse to your jawbone. It’s a gradual process.
When you return to our office, your dentist makes certain that your implant is completely fused and part of your jawbone. At this point, they can bond or place your customized dentures, crowns, or bridges.
Our patients give us a lot of great feedback about how pleased they are with their dental implants. It’s why over 3 million implants were placed as recently as 2019. Another fact you may not know: You’re not alone if you’re missing a tooth — over 150 million others are!
We talked about why dental implants are a fabulous option if you have a gap in your mouth earlier in the post, but there are even more compelling reasons to consider this treatment option.
A dental implant actually supports your jawbone health because it stimulates the bone and stops bone loss. When people with missing teeth don’t get them replaced, their faces can develop an asymmetrical or hollow appearance, so an implant prevents that.
In terms of your lifestyle, having an implant doesn’t require time-consuming or complicated care and maintenance. You simply care for it as you do your other teeth — by brushing, flossing, and going for routine dental checkups.
Call the Plaza Dental Group office today at 515-978-0941 to learn more about dental implants, or use our convenient online booking tool. We look forward to helping you attain a smile that dazzles!