Damaged or missing teeth can put a significant damper on your smile. If you don’t like the look and feel of dentures, you may want to consider a more permanent solution. Dental implants are a permanent way to restore your smile and enhance your confidence when talking, smiling, and eating. Dental implants are composed of three parts:
- Implant: Your dentist will permanently attach a small screw to the root of your jaw. This serves as the new root for your tooth.
- Abutment: This is a connector that can only be removed by your dentist. The abutment connects your new tooth to the screw, keeping it permanently in place.
- Crown: A crown is your new tooth that fits over the abutment. It’s typically made out of porcelain or zirconia, and looks just like a real tooth.
At Holcomb & Associates, we love helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams. Dentures are often uncomfortable, and make it difficult to talk or chew. They can also be unnatural-looking, causing patients to feel self-conscious when wearing them. Dental implants are a safe, effective, and completely natural-looking alternative to dentures, empowering patients to choose the dental solution that works best for them. Because dental implants require minor oral surgery, the best way to know if you are a candidate is to schedule an exam and consult with your dentist. Typically, candidates for dental implants have:
- Missing Teeth – If you have one or more missing teeth, you may be a candidate for a dental implant. Your dentist can replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or a full upper/lower set.
- Healthy Gums – Dental implants do require minor oral surgery, which will cause additional stress on your mouth. You should have healthy gums and oral tissues before getting a dental implant to minimize recovery time.
- Strong Jawbone – Because a dental implant begins by installing a screw, the best candidates will have strong, fully developed jawbones to ensure their implant is properly supported.
- Good Health – Oral hygiene and regular dental visits are crucial to ensuring that your dental implants last for decades to come. Overall health is important, too: patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease may not be suitable for dental implants.
If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants – or want to see if you are a candidate – schedule your appointment with Holcomb & Associates today!