Missing teeth can negatively impact not just your self-confidence, but over time, your dental health as well. But in just one day, you could go from an incomplete smile to showing off a full set of beautiful teeth with natural results. One day is all it takes to be finished with the pain and discomfort that comes from missing or damaged teeth.
Using My Teeth Today™, the state-of-the-art dental implant system offered at My Family Dentistry, means you get single day surgery and a quick recovery period.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth (usually made from ceramic or resin) onto them, creating the appearance of a full and healthy smile growing naturally through the gums.
How do dental implants work?
During the procedure, your dentist will drill a small hole into your jaw bone to anchor the screw that will hold the dental implant in place. The implant is then placed into the bone socket where the tooth is missing. A small connector post is attached to your new tooth, which will be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
For one tooth, the surgery generally takes about an hour. For multiple teeth, it can take two to three hours. The pain is generally minimal and for most people, only local anesthesia is necessary.
Because implants fuse to your jawbone, they provide stable support for artificial teeth. Unlike regular dentures, implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth, which is especially important when eating and speaking. The secure fit makes the implanted teeth look and feel much more comfortable.
Another benefit of dental implants is that no adjacent teeth need to be prepared or ground down to hold the new replacement teeth in place. Your new teeth are custom made just for you, so you can be sure they’ll fit perfectly in your mouth. And with My Teeth Today™, there is much less bone loss in your jaw than with other implants, so recovery time is much faster and less painful.
How do I get dental implants?
If one or more of your teeth is cracked, damaged, or missing, you could potentially benefit from dental implants. And unlike with dentures, you can have just one tooth implanted, because each is put in separately.
To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.
If your mouth and jaws aren’t judged to be healthy enough, your dentist can recommend procedures to get them into better shape with the aim of eventually getting dental implants.
How do I take care of my dental implants?
Luckily, dental implants don’t require a lot of special care. You just need to practice thorough and regular oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. If you have trouble fitting regular floss in between your teeth, you can use a specially designed interdental brush to help.
You will also need to have dental checkups every six months to a year so your implants and surrounding gums can be examined for any further issues.
With proper care, implants can be even more durable than your natural teeth. Many will even last a lifetime.
If you have one or more damaged or missing teeth, the team at My Family Dentistry is always happy to help you decide whether dental implants are the best choice for you. The first step toward a brighter, fuller smile is easy—just contact our office today!
