DENTAL IMPLANTS

DENTAL IMPLANTS Q&A;

When you’re missing a tooth, it’s not just your smile that’s affected; your oral health is in danger, too. That’s why the team at Inspira Advanced Dentistry replaces missing teeth with the next best thing to a real tooth: dental implants. Stable and secure, dental implants restore your brilliant smile while performing the same essential functions as actual teeth. Whether you want one dental implant, a whole arch, or need to replace all of your teeth, contact the team at Inspira Advanced Dentistry by phone or request an appointment online today.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a type of secure prosthetic tooth that mimics the look and function of a real tooth. Dental implants consist of three main parts:

• Implant — a titanium device that acts as your new “root”
• Abutment — the post that holds the crown in place
• Crown — a prosthetic tooth that fits on top of the post  

Dental implants are the most functional and natural-looking type of tooth replacement available. 
 

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t just cover the gap in your gums with prosthetic teeth. Dental implants are actually implanted into your jawbone, just as your real teeth are.

Your jawbone — like all of the tissues in your body — needs to be stimulated in order to stay healthy. The stress that your teeth exert on your jawbone when you chew your food signals your body to produce new bone cells. When your teeth go missing, that essential stimulation does, too.

Dental implants exert stimulation on your jawbone when you chew. Dental implants help your jawbone refresh itself by creating new bone cells. If you don’t replace your tooth with an implant, your jawbone wanes over time. This is why people who wear dentures or have missing teeth look like their lower faces are sunken in.

Dental implants are also easy to take care of. You clean them and floss them just as you would a natural tooth. You can also feel free to eat anything you normally would, without worrying about slippage or breakage.

What happens when I get dental implants?

You need a series of appointments with Inspira Advanced Dentistry’s periodontist, Dr. Debra Westervelt, to get dental implants. If your gums and jawbone are healthy enough for implants, Dr. Westervelt administers anesthesia to keep you comfortable during your procedure.  

The implant is inserted all the way into your jawbone. Dr. Westervelt then places the post on the implant and takes an impression. This information is sent to a lab, as well as information about the type, size, and color for your custom-designed prosthetic tooth replacement.

After it’s determined that you’re fully healed, your provider cements your permanent, custom-designed prosthetic tooth replacement in place.

To determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants, call Inspira Advanced Dentistry or book a consultation online today.