Adult Dental Implants
A missing tooth can impact you and your quality of life in a variety of ways. When you’re missing a tooth, chewing and talking can become difficult. You may even start to feel self-conscious about your smile. It’s important to replace a missing tooth with a prosthetic tooth, to prevent your teeth from shifting in your mouth. To fill this gap, many patients turn to dental implants.
Dental implants function like natural teeth in many ways. Patients like dental implants because they look just like natural teeth and perform that way. As your dentist in St. Louis, MO, we’re pleased to offer dental implant services to patients missing one or more teeth. Our safe, effective dental implant procedures can help restore your smile when you’re missing a tooth.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth that’s inserted into the jaw. The dental implant fuses with the bone to create a permanent solution to the problem of a missing tooth.
The dental implant consists of multiple pieces, including the implant itself, the abutment that attaches to the crown, and the crown itself.
How Are Dental Implants Installed?
To install your dental implant, the dentist will start by removing the damaged tooth from your mouth. The dentist will also perform an extensive examination with X-rays to determine whether you have sufficient jaw bone to make a dental implant feasible. If you don’t have sufficient jaw bone to install a dental implant, the dentist may recommend either a different type of prosthetic tooth or they may recommend bone grafting.
Once you’re ready for a dental implant installation, the dentist will move forward with dental implant placement. The dentist will drill into your jaw and insert the implant post to do this. The post itself needs time to heal and fuse with the bone, so your dentist won’t yet install the final crown on the implant. If you need a temporary prosthetic tooth while you’re waiting for the implant installation procedure to be complete, your dentist will give you a partial.
Once the jaw and the implant have fused and healed, the dentist will place the abutment. The installation of the artificial tooth will not happen until the very last step.
In order to ensure that the crown will fit in the space provided, the dentist will make impressions of your teeth. This way, the crown will look completely natural in your mouth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You’re a good candidate for dental implants if you have healthy teeth, a healthy jaw bone, and good oral hygiene habits. People who smoke are more likely to experience complications following their implant surgery, so if you smoke, you may not be a good candidate.
Your dentist will be able to tell you if dental implants are right for you based on your tooth and jaw health. Once the dental implant is installed, you’ll need to keep up with your good oral hygiene habits, so the best candidates are those committed to long-term dental hygiene.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
There are many benefits of dental implants, including:
- Look natural. Of all the types of prosthetic teeth, dental implants look and function the most like the natural teeth that are already in your mouth. When you install a dental implant, you can use the same methods to maintain your dental implant that you use to maintain your natural teeth.
- Permanent installation. Dental implants are a permanent installation, unlike dentures, which can sometimes slip out of place. They do not slip out of place or come out for cleaning.
- Maintain appearances. Dental implants can help you restore your smile after the loss of a tooth. For many people, this means restoring confidence and the ability to speak and chew properly, thus preserving quality of life.
Have more questions about dental implant benefits? We can answer your questions when you come in for a consultation.
How to Maintain Your Dental Implants
Maintaining dental implants is relatively easy because dental implants function very much like your natural teeth. Brush your dental implant twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste doesn’t work for dental implants, so you should avoid any toothpastes that say they whiten or brighten. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles like you would for your natural teeth.
Your dentist will show you how to remove food particles from the crevices around your implant. You’ll also need to see the dentist twice annually for cleanings and checkups. This will help prevent gum recession and will keep your tooth healthy overall.
Think You’re a Good Candidate? What to Do Next
You’re a good candidate for dental implants in St. Louis, MO, if you’re missing a tooth and have a healthy jaw, teeth, and gums. If you think you’re a good candidate for this procedure, talk to your dentist at Smile Now STL to learn more about how dental implants can improve your dental health and overall quality of life.
Why Smile Now STL for Your Dental Implant?
At Smile Now STL, we treat each patient with professionalism and respect. Our patients come to us because we offer excellent patient care in modern, comfortable dental facilities. Our experienced dental professionals have the skills to help ensure your dental implant installation will succeed.
Patients also come to Smile Now STL because we offer a range of services for our patients. We’re a one-stop shop for maintaining good dental health and hygiene.
Contact Your Dentist in St. Louis Today to Make An Appointment
Smile Now STL is your resource for dental implant surgery. As your dentist in St. Louis, MO, we’re proud to offer a range of options for patients who need prosthetic tooth services, including dental implants. Have questions about whether dental implants could benefit you? We can help. Call today to make an appointment to discuss dental implants.
