Finding a solution to your missing tooth can raise a lot of questions. While some dental patients use a dental bridge or partial denture to fill in the missing tooth, an implant is a viable option that provides permanent results. Here are some common questions asked by dental patients considering dental implants.

What Makes A Good Dental Implant Candidate?

Part of getting a consultation for your dental implant will be determining if you're even a potential candidate for receiving one. Your dentist will do this by looking at several aspects of your mouth, starting with the health of your gums. You'll need to have healthy gums that do not have any signs of gum disease if you hope to receive a dental implant. If there are signs, you may need to go through a treatment process to clear up any infection.

Your dentist will also look at the health of your jawbone to determine if it has the strength to support a dental implant. They'll look at the density of the jawbone as well as the overall thickness of it. Your dentist may recommend a bone graft to give the jawbone more strength if it is lacking in any area. This is common in older patients where the jawbone has decreased in size over the years.

How Long Does The Dental Implant Procedure Take?

Many patients do not realize how long it takes for a dental implant to be fully installed. Consider the procedure as two parts, with the first one being the surgical insertion of the titanium post. The implant then needs several months to fully integrate itself with your jawbone, since it needs a solid bond in order to take on the pressure required for chewing.

A temporary crown will be placed on the titanium post to fill in the gap until your implant is ready to use. This will help improve the aesthetic problems that come with missing a tooth. You'll receive the final crown when the titanium post has fully integrated with your jawbone.

How Long Can A Dental Implant Last?

What makes a dental implant so great compared to the other options is how the implant can last a lifetime. You don't have to worry about the implant itself failing since that is the least of your concerns. You're more likely to have a problem with gum disease that can compromise the stability of the titanium post. Take steps to maintain great oral health to prevent this from happening.

Share