Dental implants are the closest replacement option to having “real teeth”. They look and feel very similar to a natural tooth and can replace one or several missing teeth. Furthermore, dental implants are a free-standing unit and so the adjacent teeth can be left untouched. This helps to maintain their strength and integrity.
Dental implants are titanium “tooth roots” which are placed in the jawbone. The bone and the gums then heal around the implant, so that it is strong enough for chewing. A tooth-like crown is then attached to the top of the implant.
Like natural teeth, implants can also experience gum disease and breakages if they are not properly cared for at home and not regularly assessed by a dentist. If having an implant is like a tooth’s second lease at life, then extra care is necessary!
One thing to note is that timing is critical. There is a narrow window of ideal time for implant placement subsequent to the loss of a tooth. Furthermore, the entire process can take several months from start to finish. At Parade Dental Ocean Grove, we will help guide you on this long-term plan.
