Dental implants, crowns, veneers, dentures, bridges, bonding! That’s a lot of dental terms. If you aren’t a dental expert all these terms start to run together. So which one is it?

Dental Implants at Carolina’s Dental Choice are your missing tooth’s best friend. If you are missing a tooth dental implants can permanently replace the missing tooth without anyone noticing. The dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that matches your other teeth. Let’s be honest, missing teeth can be serious and unattractive. They lower a person’s confidence and can turn smiling into a dreaded reaction. Not to mention, missing teeth can make eating a talking difficult. Carolina’s Dental Choice is dedicated to helping patients feel confident in their smile!

What Are Dental Implants

Dental implants are tooth replacements that are permanently installed in the jaw. Metal post or frames are surgically placed underneath the gums and into the jawbone. An artificial tooth is then placed on top for a natural looking tooth. Having the implant surgically placed into the jawbone allows for stable support for the replacement took. With this stability, the tooth not only looks real it can also function like a real tooth. This makes it easier to eat and speak with ease.

Why Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a timely procedure but the outcome is well worth the effort. Dental Implants last for a very long time and require very little maintenance. The dental implant is a very stable tooth replacement and helps with many things including improving:

• Your smile and overall appearance
• Your ability to speak comprehensively
• Your overall comfort
• Your ability to chew foods
• Overall oral health

Type of Implants

• Subperiosteal Implants- With this type of implant, metal frames are fused into the gum tissue. Overtime the gums heal and allow the frames to become secured to the jawbone. The post that are supporting the frames overhang through the gums. After the jawbone and gum tissue has healed, an artificial tooth is locked to the post.

• Endosteal Implants- This form of implant is surgically implanted straight on the jawbone. After the jaw and gums are healed, a second surgery takes place to attach a post to the original implant. After all of the gum tissue has healed, an artificial tooth is secured to the post. This method is also used for bridges and dentures that are supported with implants.

1. Schedule an Appointment

At the initial appointment your Carolina’s Dental Choice Dentist will exam your teeth. Along with discussing the procedure, your dental history will be reviewed, x-rays will be taken, and your teeth will be thoroughly examined. You will have the opportunity to discuss your options for implants to determine if you are a good candidate. This will get you acquainted to the different procedures and help you and your doctor decided which option is the best fit for you.

2. First Procedure

For Endosteal Implants the first surgery will take place. The implants will be placed into the jawbone. This is done by making an incision in the gum and inclosing the implant. A small hole is drilled in to the bone for the implant to attach and then is stitched up. After the implants are secured it is important to allow your jaw to heal. The dentist will wait three to six month to plan the next step.

3. Second Procedure

Next for Endosteal Implants the dentist will take x-rays, to ensure the implants have fused with the jawbone. If all is well, the second surgery will proceed. This surgery is a simple and easy procedure. A small incision is made to show the top of the implant. Once the top of the implants is clear, a healing cap is placed on them, this helps the gum tissue during the healing process. After about two weeks the healing caps will be replaced and the artificial implant can be secured.

How to Take Care of the Implants?

The great thing about dental implants is that they require very little patience and if they are taken care of, implants will never have to be replaced. The upkeep of implants is very easy and requires very little of your time. Steps to keeping your implants successful include:

• Brushing and Flossing Daily– Duhhh! You already know this one! But just a reminder that it is good oral hygiene to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every evening.

• Routine Dental Visits– It is important to make visiting your dentist a routine. This can help keep your implants in the very peak condition. Having a dental exam and cleaning every six months is a good habit.

• Not Smoke– Smoking has been known to weaken the tooth and bone structure. If the jawbone become too weak it can lead to implant failure.

• Avoid Hard Foods– Foods such as ice and hard candy can be very harmful even to your natural teeth. To protect your implant and your natural teeth avoid chewing on hard foods.

Schedule an appointment at Carolina’s Dental Choice to help you decide if you are a good candidate for dental implants and go over all of your options. You will have a smile to be proud of in no time!