What are dental implants?
Dental implants are custom, artificial teeth made from enduring, medical-grade metallic and ceramic materials. They have two components: A titanium implant, which is surgically anchored into your jawbone like a real tooth root, and an artificial tooth, or porcelain crown, which is fitted onto the implant.
What are the benefits of getting implants?
Dental implants are considered one of the most important developments in modern dentistry. It’s not surprising, then, that they’re one of the most frequently requested offerings of cosmetic dentistry.
Implants are strong, stable, and permanent, and they also blend in perfectly with your natural teeth, making them ideal for filling gaps to restore your smile. Whether you’re missing one tooth or all 28, dental implants are an ideal, long-lasting solution.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Because implants require dental surgery, it’s essential that you have sufficient bone structure, healthy gums, and good immune system function. In general, patients who are healthy and have adequate bone mass are able to get implants.
To make sure your jawbone provides a sufficient anchor for the implants, you have a 3D cone beam CT scan prior to surgery. This special X-ray produces a 3D image of your teeth, soft tissues, nerves, and bones. The image reveals essential details about your bone structure and helps Dr. Gertsen determine the exact type of implant you need.
What does the procedure entail?
Dental implant surgery is an in-office procedure performed with local anesthesia. After Dr. Gertsen surgically anchors the titanium root into your jawbone, he secures your gum over the implant, leaving it covered to encourage it to fuse with your bone. Once the implant is fully fused, he finishes the restoration by attaching a post to the implant, and affixing an artificial tooth, or porcelain crown, to the post.
How long does the whole process take?
The amount of time it takes for you to complete a dental implantation procedure varies, depending on the quality of your bone and how quickly your body heals. For patients whose bodies take a long time to heal following the initial implant surgery, the entire process can take as long as nine months. For patients who have good bone quality and heal quickly, the process can go much faster.
Who should not get dental implants?
Patients who have certain systemic health problems, including diabetes or leukemia, may not be able to undergo implant surgery, because such illnesses can interfere with the body’s ability to heal.
Smokers aren’t ideal candidates, either, because they also tend to heal slowly. To find out if implants are a good option for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gertsen today.
We are happy to accept new patients! Contact us to book your appointment.
