Your Smile Is in Good Hands
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is anchored into the jaw bone. The implant is made from titanium, and its screw-like shape helps it stay in place by providing more surface area for your jaw bone to bind with. A prosthetic tooth, such as a crown, is then permanently secured to the metal implant.
Dental implants fill in the gap caused by missing teeth, helping to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting. They also introduce new tooth roots to the jaw, which can help prevent the loss of jaw bone volume and strength.
If you need a dental implant, our team will refer you to an oral surgeon to perform the first step of the procedure. After your recovery, you will return to our office where you'll be fitted with a tooth replacement.
Can Anyone Get a Dental Implant?
Not all patients are candidates for a dental implant. You must be in good general and oral health to be a good candidate for this procedure.
Patients who are undergoing cancer treatment, or those with uncontrolled diabetes or gum disease, may not qualify for implants. These medical conditions can affect whether the dental implant can be secured to the jaw bone, and can also affect post-op outcomes.
The Dental Implant Restoration Process
A dental implant procedure will typically span over two or more visits and is suitable for replacing a single lost tooth or multiple missing teeth.
Once you have completely healed from the surgery, generally three to six months after the procedure, you will return to our office to complete the restoration.
The restoration part of the process involves the artificial tooth (or teeth) that is permanently secured to the dental implant. Depending on the number of implants placed, your restoration could be an individual crown, a bridge, or a full denture.
The fitting process for the artificial tooth or teeth will happen over a few appointments. We'll take impressions to help create your false tooth, and you may require multiple fittings to get the perfect fit.
Dental Implant FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Emerald Park Dental Clinic.
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How long does a dental implant last?
A dental implant can last a lifetime with proper care. This includes consistent brushing and flossing at home, as well as attending regular hygiene cleanings and exams at the dentist.
How long your dental implant lasts may also depend on other factors, including nutrition, genetics, or the development of dental diseases.
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How do I care for my dental implants?
Caring for your dental implant is just like caring for your natural teeth.
This means visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments and maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home. This can help prevent decay or diseases from developing in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can harm your dental implants.
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Does getting a dental implant hurt?
During your dental implant surgery, your oral surgeon will administer anesthesia to make you comfortable so you won't feel pain during the procedure.
Following the procedure, you shouldn't notice too much discomfort. Most patients can manage pain with over-the-counter pain medications for a few days after the procedure.
To help you through the healing process and manage your pain, your dentist will provide you with detailed post-op instructions that need to be followed carefully.
For a few weeks after your procedure, you should only eat soft foods to avoid unnecessary pain or irritation.
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How long does the dental implant process take?
The entire dental implant process will typically take between three to six months to complete. However, this can vary depending on your treatment plan.
The process of creating your artificial tooth will likely require multiple appointments. You may need an appointment to allow us to take impressions of your teeth. It can then take several appointments to have your artificial tooth properly fitted.
This process may take weeks or months, but your dentist can provide you with a more accurate timeline based on your particular scenario.
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Will my insurance cover dental implants?
Some insurance companies will cover the entire cost of dental implants, while some will only pay for a portion of the cost, and others won't pay for any part of it.
Check with your insurance provider to determine how much of your dental implant treatment will be covered by your insurance.