Guide to Dental Implants

Dental implants give you back the teeth you are missing. About 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth. A missing tooth is more than a cosmetic problem – the gap left behind by a lost tooth can allow other teeth to drift out of alignment, and cause problems with chewing and speaking. A missing tooth can also be quite embarrassing. While dentures and bridges can replace the missing tooth, they may not look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Fortunately, dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and keep your jaw and other teeth in good condition.

Dental implants are essentially replacement teeth in that they look and function the same as strong, natural teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. While they may look the same, the two types of dental implants are different in a number of ways.

Endosteal dental implants

Endosteal dental implants feature a titanium root that your dentist embeds into the area of your jawbone that once held your missing tooth or teeth. Over the course of weeks, the jawbone fuses with the titanium root to create a sturdy support for the crown, which is the part of the tooth that appears above your gum line.

Getting an endosteal implant is a lengthy procedure that takes several months to complete. After a thorough evaluation and dental care to remove permanently damaged teeth or gum disease, your dentist implants the titanium post into your jaw. For aesthetic purposes, your dentist may suggest capping the post with a temporary crown as your jaw heals. After your jaw fuses with the post in a process known as osseointegration, your dentist will fit the tooth with a durable, natural-looking crown. The entire process requires at least two trips to your dentist and can take up to six months for osseointegration to occur.

Endosteal dental implants are by far the most commonly used type of dental implants. They feel the most natural and, because of the artificial tooth root created by the titanium post, endosteal implants provide more stability. However, your dentist may recommend endosteal implants only if you have enough healthy jawbone near the missing tooth to support the titanium post.

Dental Implant Options

When it comes to dental implants, dentists have endless options to create your perfect smile. These options include:

All-On-4 – Implants for people who have lost most (or all) of their teeth; the name refers to the four implanted tooth roots that hold all the replacement teeth on the upper or lower jaw

Single Tooth Implants – A single artificial tooth root holds a single crown to cover gaps or isolated problems

Multiple Implants – The implantation of several artificial tooth roots to replace more than one tooth but less than a full mouth

Better Smiles are in Your Future

Just imagine smiling, talking, and eating again without the embarrassment of missing teeth! Dental implants are nearly impossible to detect, and they feel just like your natural teeth. In fact, fully functional teeth will give you the confidence you didn’t think was possible.

Still have questions about dental implants? Williams and Daily in Raleigh, North Carolina is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment, and enjoy a healthier, brighter smile tomorrow.

Williams & Daily Dental is a family and cosmetic dentist located in North Raleigh, NC with a team of dedicated dentists enthusiastic in their commitment to their patients. We offer dental implants, Invisalign teeth straightening, in-office and home teeth whitening options, and Oral-B electric toothbrushes. Contact Williams & Daily at (919) 846-9070 for more information and to schedule an appointment today.