Dental implants are now a popular choice for replacing one or more missing teeth. They offer many advantages over traditional options like bridges or dentures. In this guide, we’ll explain what dental implants are, their benefits, and why we believe they are the best option for tooth replacement.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from titanium. They are placed in your jawbone to support a replacement tooth or bridge. Implants act as anchors, holding your new teeth firmly in place. With dental implants, your restoration will look, feel, and work just like natural teeth.
The Process
Getting dental implants usually takes a few months and involves several steps. It starts with a comprehensive dental exam and consultation, during which we discuss your needs and create a treatment plan tailored to you.
Tooth Extraction: If your damaged tooth is still present, we will remove it and prepare the empty socket for a dental implant.
Jaw Preparation (bone grafting): Sometimes, your jawbone needs additional support before an implant can be placed. This often means bone grafting, especially if you have been missing a tooth for a while and the bone has shrunk where the tooth root used to be.
Implant Placement:
A dental implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone. This phase may include some downtime to allow your bone to grow and bond with the implant - a process called osseointegration.
Abutment Placement:
After the bone has successfully bonded to the dental implant, an abutment is attached to the top of the implant post. This piece will eventually hold the new tooth (crown).
Custom Tooth (crown) Creation:
A custom-made artificial tooth (crown) will be securely placed on the abutment, thus completing the restoration.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many benefits:
Natural Appearance: Dental implants fuse with your bone, and the crown is made to look like your own teeth. We match the color and shape to blend in with your smile.
Improved Speech: Missing teeth or loose dentures can make it hard to speak clearly. Dental implants fill those gaps and let you speak naturally, without worrying about your teeth slipping.
Comfort: Dental implants join with your jaw, just like a natural tooth root. This means you won’t feel the discomfort that can come with dentures or food poking your gums where teeth are missing.
Easier Eating: Dental implants work like real teeth, so you can enjoy your favorite foods comfortably and without pain.
Durability: With proper care, dental implants can last for many years, sometimes even a lifetime.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
We recommend dental implants for most people with good oral health who have lost teeth due to gum disease, injury, or other causes. The best way to know if implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation. We’ll talk about your needs, review your medical history, and create a treatment plan that explains each step, the costs, and what you can expect from your dental implant treatment.
You can find more details about whether dental implants are right for you on our website. Visit our Dental Implant FAQs page to learn more.
For us, dental implants are about more than just restoring your smile or function. We love seeing how they boost our patients’ confidence and quality of life. That’s why we believe dental implants are a top choice for tooth restoration. Book an appointment at Tomlinson Dental to find out if dental implants can help you achieve a brighter, healthier smile.
Dentist in Tampa, FL, Tomlinson Dental
3911 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33603
Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, Implant-Supported Dentures