Millions of Americans have suffered from tooth loss, whether due to tooth decay, gum disease, or injury. Previously, the only solution for replacing lost teeth was by using dentures or a dental bridge. Today, dental implants provide another option for patients in Durham looking for a long-lasting and effective method for restoring missing teeth. You can find this treatment at Better Dentistry.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small metal posts that are surgically inserted into the jaw bone. They do not function as the teeth themselves but have a dental prosthetic fixed to them. One dental implant can support more than one tooth restoration, so several consecutive missing teeth can be restored using just one implant.

Benefits of dental implants

Implants offer several advantages over other tooth restoration options, such as:

• Increased stability: dental implants do not become loose as dentures and bridges tend to
• Improved comfort: because the implants fuse into the bone, they act as tooth roots and essentially become a part of you
• Improved eating and speaking: because they are more comfortable and stable, you will be able to speak with ease and eat your favorite foods worry-free
• Long-lasting: implants can last a lifetime
• More convenient: unlike dentures and bridges, which require special cleaning, implants can be cared for just as regular teeth, with simple brushing and flossing and no extra maintenance work.

Procedure

It will take at least two visits over the course of several months to have dental implants placed. Your dentist will begin by ensuring that you have sufficient bone structure in the jawbone to support the dental implants. If there is not, a bone graft may first be performed to build up the jawbone in the areas where the implants will go.

To place implants, the jawbone must first be prepared. Your dentist will make an incision into the gums to access the bone, then drill into it to prepare the space for the implant. Once it has been inserted, the gum tissue will be replaced, and the site will be left for several months to allow the implant to fuse into the bone completely. This usually takes about four months. After this period, you will return to Better Dentistry to have the dental prosthetic attached to the implants.

If you are ready for an effective solution for replacing missing teeth, make an appointment at Better Dentistry to discuss receiving dental implants in Durham.