Dental Implants
What’s a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a type of restoration that is used to replace a missing tooth. Implants are made out of titanium, which is safely used in surgical procedures. The implant will eventually fuse with the bone of your jaw and become permanent. Implants are easy to place and can even be used to keep denture plates in place.
Why are Dental Implants needed?
A dental implant has many different uses for each patient. Some patients require an implant because they are missing a tooth and want to avoid having a fixed bridge or partial denture placed. You may decide that you want an implant because you already wear dentures and need a way to keep them in place throughout the day. Dr. Adkins offers in-house implant surgery to those who want or even need implants.
Who is a good candidate for Dental Implants?
The procedure to place the dental implant is a type of oral surgery. You must be healthy enough to undergo oral surgery, and your health history will be considered prior to the procedure. In some cases, a bone grafting may be needed so that the implant has more bone to fuse and attach to once it’s been placed. However, most of our patients are great candidates for implants and can easily have them placed.
What happens during the Dental Implant procedure?
Before the procedure, you’ll come into our office for a consult and exam with Dr. Adkins. At this time, we’ll take a series of x-rays and images to determine the health of your bone and the best way to place the implants. The procedure itself involves creating an incision into and through the gums to gain access to the bone. The implant post is carefully inserted into the bone and the gums sutured to allow the area time to heal. Over the course of just a few months, the post will osseointegrate, or fuse, with the bone. You’ll then need to have a dental crown made to put on top of the new implant.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants and the implant procedure, call our office to speak with one of our helpful staff members.
