Tooth loss is a serious problem that necessitates a thorough and effective treatment. If you fail to find a replacement tooth, you may suffer from decreased bone density, further tooth loss, and changes in your dental alignment. When considering treatments for tooth loss, consider dental implants. These replacement teeth can transform and restore your smile. Read on to get more facts from our O’Fallon dental implant dentists…
Q: What are dental implants?
A: Dental implants are replacement teeth that are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth! Every dental implant has a titanium root—this root is surgically implanted into the jawbone. This root is then topped with a natural looking dental restoration. This is the part of your dental implant that you will see everyday, and that you will use to chew and speak.
Q: How long does it take to get dental implants?
A: The entire implant treatment process takes several months. First we’ll insert the titanium root into your jawbone—it will sit where the tooth root used to be. Then we allow the bone tissue to heal, and for the bone and the titanium root to bond. Once the root of the dental implant is strong and stable, we attach the dental restoration to the titanium root.
It’s important to note that mini dental implants do not require the same amount of time to heal as conventional dental implants. Because the titanium root of a mini dental implant is much thinner, it is therefore less traumatic for the bone tissue. This means that mini dental implants are functional shortly after treatment.
If you’ve got more questions, we’ve got the answer. Give our O’Fallon dental implant dentists a call to learn more and to get started on the way to the smile of your dreams!