Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root and is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Although bridges and dentures can be made to replace missing teeth, there are some disadvantages to these methods. Unlike a bridge, a dental implant does not require the neighboring teeth to be reshaped to accommodate the device. And unlike dentures, which are removable, implants are permanently anchored into the mouth.

How Long Do Implants Last?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that helps support a replacement tooth or bridge. The implant itself is a titanium screw that is placed into the jaw and acts as a base for one or more artificial teeth. Dental implants are a popular and effective option for patients with missing teeth.

The average lifespan of dental implants is between ten to fifteen years; however, they could last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene. It's important to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. It is also recommended to avoid chewing on hard foods that could crack the fixture. Patients should visit their dentist every year to have their replacement teeth inspected and cleaned.

What Are The Advantages of Dental Implants?

There are many advantages of dental implants that will improve both your oral and overall health. They are a stable solution to replace missing teeth and will not move or slide as dentures can. Unlike bridges or crowns, they do not use the surrounding teeth for support. This gives them the ability to be placed in areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach with a crown or bridge, such as the back molar area. They also last much longer than other tooth restorations, with patients reporting over a 90% success rate over 15 years. They allow the patient to once again eat the foods they love without worrying about painful slipping or shifting of the restoration.

Dental implants also stimulate the bone in the jaw, preventing bone loss that can occur when a tooth is lost. The implants will be permanently placed into the jawbone during a minor in-office procedure. 

What Is The Process For Getting Dental Implants?

First, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth so a custom crown can be made for you. Then, your dentist will make an incision in your gum where the implant will be placed. The dental implant is a post made of titanium that will be surgically placed in your mouth.

Once it's in place, your jawbone will grow around the and fuse with the post to create a strong and sturdy foundation for your new tooth. Once your jaw has grown around your post and fused with it, the abutment will be attached to your implant and serve as a connector for the crown to be made. Your dentist will make a mold of your abutment to create your custom crown. When the crown is completed, it will be placed on the implant to complete your new smile!

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or periodontist. For the best dental care, visit Dr. Be Smiles at 4511 N Midkiff Rd, Suite E-15, Midland, TX 79705, or call (432) 520-4867.