When Dental Implants are Needed

Missing teeth can be an eyesore that can affect a patient’s self confidence. But missing teeth can also be painful and also cause a patient discomfort, especially while eating. You don’t have to live with missing teeth, however. At Reason To Smile Dental, we can repair the damage and install a dental implant in place of the tooth.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots meant to restore strength to a patient’s mouth. These implants are made of a titanium alloy which is drilled into the jaw bone. Through a process called osseointegration, these implants bond to the jaw adding support and promoting bone growth.

The Process

Dental implants are installed over the course of six months and require multiple surgeries. The first surgery will involve planting the dental implant in the jaw bone and covering it with the surrounding gum tissue. It will take three to four months for the implant to successfully bond to the bone.

The second surgery will require the implant to be uncovered so an abutment can be placed on top. This will require another month or two for the implant to heal again. Then, a dental crown will be placed atop the abutment and the process is complete. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Obviously, the most beneficial aspect of having a dental implant installed is the restored functionality to the affected tooth. But there are also many other benefits of dental implants aside from that. Some of these benefits are:

 

  • Improved Esthetics: A missing tooth can be an eyesore that can cause people to be self-conscious about their smile. Dental implants replace teeth and can restore the appearance of your smile.
  • Secure Dentures: Dental implants can be used to secure dentures to your mouth. Rather than install a crown, ball and socket, attachments are placed so dentures can clip right on the implant. This can improve speaking and eating in patients with dentures.
  • Increased Comfort: An empty socket in your mouth can be annoying, but with dental implants this problem is solved. Dental implants become part of you, so you don’t even notice that they are installed directly to your jaw bone.

If you are missing a tooth and are in need of a dental implant, you can contact Reason To Smile’s Salt Lake City office here or call us at (801) 719-5447 to schedule an appointment.

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