Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

Dental implants act as artificial roots for restorations, like crowns or dentures. Like your natural roots, they sit in your jawbone. The team at Vasona Family Dentistry fixes crowns, implant-supported bridges, or implant-supported dentures to your dental implants. The implants anchor your restorations in place and allow you to chew and speak with ease. They also prevent bone loss in your jaw, which can happen after you lose a tooth. 

In order to get a dental implant, you must undergo dental implant surgery. The team at Vasona Family Dentistry performs implant surgery in stages, which can take months to complete because of the healing time between each stage. 

The process includes removing any remaining part of the original tooth, a possible bone graft to strengthen your jawbone, placing the implant, and a healing period during which your bone bonds with the implant. After the healing period, the team reopens the incision to place an attachment called an abutment onto the implant. The abutment connects the implant to your artificial crown or denture. 

What are the advantages of replacing teeth with dental implants?

If you lose one or more teeth, you can either live without them or select from a few different options for replacement. Although the process of getting dental implants takes time, there are many advantages to replacing teeth with dental implants. Implants maintain their popularity because they are:

• Durable
• Sturdy
• Permanent
• Easy to maintain
• Attractive
• Convenient

Your dental implants are fixed into place, so you don’t need to worry about taking them out to care for them. Crowns attached to dental implants look and function almost exactly like your original teeth to the point that you might forget you have them. 

Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

During your initial consultation for dental implants at Vasona Family Dentistry, the team evaluates your oral health and the condition of your jawbone. They take X-rays to examine your jawbone and review your general medical history. To be a good candidate for dental implants, you should:

• Have healthy gums
• Be in good general health
• Have adequate bone in your jaw (with or without a bone graft)
• Have a fully developed jawbone

If for any reason you’re not a candidate for dental implants, the team at Vasona Family Dentistry works with you to find another more fitting solution.

If you’re interested in getting one or more dental implants to support replacement teeth, call Vasona Family Dentistry or book an appointment online today.