Dental implants are sturdy, long-lasting replacements for natural teeth. The dental implant post may last a lifetime with proper care, while the crown or denture on top may need periodic replacement every 10 to 15 years to accommodate normal wear and tear.

Types of Dental Implants

• Single-Tooth Dental Implants
• Implant-Supported Bridges
• Full-Arch Zirconia Teeth
• Fixed Hybrid Dentures

How Dental Implants Work

Implants consist of three parts: a titanium post, a stainless steel abutment, and a dental restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture.

 

The post replaces the root of the natural tooth. The strong, lightweight post gently screws into an opening in the patient's jawbone. The surgery site where the dentist implants the post needs a few months to heal before the next step.

 

Next, the dentist places the abutment on top of the post. The dentist secures the gum tissue around the abutment and allows it to heal.

 

The final restoration is the last step. The dentist attaches the crown, bridge, or dentures to the abutment.

 

When the implant process is complete, you will have a restoration that looks and feels like a natural tooth. You can chew, talk, and smile again, improving your self-image and quality of life.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Easy Care

Unlike traditional dentures, you do not have to spend extra time and money caring for your implants. Care for them as you would natural teeth.

Bone Loss Prevention

When you have missing teeth, your jawbone begins to reabsorb into your body. This problem happens when the jaw lacks the natural stimulation it receives from chewing.

Mimics Your Natural Teeth

Most people cannot tell you you have a new dental implant.

Restores Chewing Ability

Your bite force and chewing ability will improve greatly with implants.

Allows Clear Speech

Dentures sometimes cause hissing or clicking noises when patients speak. Implants do not cause this problem.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Patients who are good implant candidates have these traits:

• Missing or compromised teeth
• Sufficient bone mass for an implant or ability to receive a bone graft before surgery
• No untreated gum disease or tooth decay
• Non-smokers or willing to quit since nicotine impairs healing and may cause implants to fail
• Healthy enough for surgery, with no conditions like diabetes or cancer

How to Extend The Life of Your Dental Implants

Dental implants can last for many years, but they need proper care. Brush your teeth, including your implants, at least twice a day. Floss once or twice daily, paying special attention to the area around the implant. Keep all recommended dental appointments. If you fail to care for your implants, you could experience an infection or implant failure.

Call Chang Dental Group

Dental implants are the longest-lasting dental restorations on the market today, but they need proper care to maintain longevity. Please call our convenient Natick, MA, office at 508-653-0444 to learn more about dental implants and schedule a consultation appointment.

 

You may be hearing a lot about dental implants lately. They are a tooth replacement option for patients with one or more missing teeth. Whether you know someone who has a dental implant or you’ve heard about them some other way, you may be wondering if you would be a candidate for dental implants. Here’s what it takes to be eligible for one or more dental implants. 

What is a Dental Implant? 

A dental implant is an artificial support for a dental prosthetic. It is essentially a replacement for the root of a tooth, as it is surgically implanted in the bone of your jaw where a natural tooth root once was. Dental implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Once the implant fully bonds with the bone it can last a lifetime. 

Benefits of Dental Implants 

Dental implants are considered to be the highest quality replacement teeth because of these benefits:

• Natural function. A dental implant provides strong support for artificial teeth, allowing you to chew effectively as you would with your natural teeth. 

• Realistic appearance. Dental implants look real because they are anchored in the jaw the way your natural teeth are. 

• Prevents bone loss. Implants keep your jaw bone strong, preventing it from weakening as it would in the absence of a tooth root. 

Types of Dental Implant Restorations 

There are 3 main types of dental implant restorations: 

• Single tooth replacement. A single dental implant with a crown attached can replace one tooth. 

• Implant supported bridge. Two dental implants can be placed in the jaw to support a dental bridge to replace 3 or more teeth in a row. 

• Implant supported dentures. Anywhere from 4-6 dental implants can support a full arch denture. 

 

What Makes a Good Candidate for Dental Implants? 

To be eligible for a dental implant, your jaw bone must have sufficient strength and structure to support an implant. When one or more teeth have been missing for a few months or years, the support structures for that tooth, including the jaw bone, will most likely have weakened and possibly dissolved. This means the bone is not currently ready to receive a dental implant. 

 

The sooner a dental implant can be placed after the loss or extraction of a tooth the better, because the bone will still be structurally sound. Ridge preservation is a technique that is used after tooth extraction to prevent bone loss in the jaw and make sure you will be eligible for a dental implant when the time is right. 

Can I Become a Candidate for Dental Implants? 

The good news is that there are procedures that can prepare the jaw bone to receive a dental implant in cases where the bone has weakened. Bone grafting is the process of placing a bone fragment under the gum tissue on top of the existing bone. The fragment can be taken from somewhere in the patient’s body, a cadaver, an animal, or an artificial bone fragment that is made in a lab. Bone grafting can make it possible for you to get a single dental implant, a bridge, or a full set of implant supported dentures. 

Chang Dental Group Provides Dental Implants 

If you’re interested in getting dental implants, Chang Dental Group is a dental implant provider. After a brief evaluation, we can determine whether or not you are eligible for dental implants and create a plan for your restoration. We provide bone grafting if needed to prepare you for dental implant placement. 

To learn more, call 508-653-0444 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.