Dental Implant Restoration

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you know the impact that can have on your ability to eat, speak and just feel self-confident about yourself and your health. While dentures and bridges can provide a solution for some patients, dental implant restoration offers significant advantages over both these approaches and can be a great choice for many patients.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants consist of two parts: a titanium “root” that is implanted directly into your jawbone and a “fake” tooth or crown that attaches to the titanium anchor and looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. Dental implants can also be used to anchor dentures or bridges when natural teeth are too weak or when a patient decides not to replace every missing tooth with an implant.

What does the implant procedure involve?

The implant procedure occurs in stages. First, the diseased or damaged tooth is removed. Next, your jaw will be prepared to receive the implant. If your tooth has been missing for some time or if the area has been subject to decay, you may require a bone graft to build up the jaw before the implant can be placed. Once the jaw is ready to receive the implant, a hole is carefully made in the jaw so the titanium post can be set in place. During the next several weeks to months, your jaw bone will begin to fuse with the titanium post, stabilizing it so the crown can be placed on top. Once this period of healing is complete, an extension of the post called an abutment will be put in place followed by the crown, which will be designed and tinted to look just like your natural teeth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Compared to dental implant replacement alternatives like complete or partial dentures or bridges, dental implants offer these important advantages:


• They look and feel more natural – just like your own teeth.
• Unlike dentures, there’s no risk of “slipping” while eating or talking.
• They’re more convenient than dentures.
• They don’t require adhesives or special cleansers; you care for them as you would your natural teeth.
• There’s no risk of bone loss that can occur with dentures and bridges. Bone loss can lead to eventual weakening and loss of neighboring teeth.
• Most people feel more confident with dental implants compared to full or partial dentures.

If you have dentures, bridges or missing teeth and you’d like to find out about dental implants and whether they could be a good choice for you, call our office today at (260) 484-4181 to setup an appointment online.