In addition to affecting your smile and appearance, missing teeth can also negatively affect the composition of your jaw. Without teeth serving as anchors, your jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time. One solution that helps restore your appearance and preserve the function of your jaw is dental implants. At Southwest Smiles Family Dentistry, we offer dental implant restorations. In this blog post, we provide information about this tooth replacement option to help you decide if and when it’s right for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Unlike dentures, dental implants provide a permanent solution for missing teeth. They don’t require any dental adhesive because they are anchored into your jawbone. The first step in the dental implant procedure is to determine whether your jawbone is strong enough to allow for a successful outcome. Sometimes a bone graft is needed. Depending on your jawbone density and oral hygiene habits, the next step would be the surgical implantation of a titanium post in your jaw. Titanium is biocompatible so it will fuse to your jawbone and provide a solid anchor for a restoration. Once the surgical site has healed, we can place either a dental crown or bridge on top. There are also implant-supported dentures. Because we custom-create these restorations to look like natural teeth, the end result is a beautiful smile that allows you to eat, talk, and smile normally!
When Should You Get Dental Implants?
If you’re wondering about the timing of dental implants, our team can help. Our first step will be to evaluate your jawbone to ensure that the area can support a dental implant. If you’ve been missing a tooth for a while, you may require a bone graft to support a dental implant. We will also discuss a financial plan to make sure implants can fit into your budget. Then, we can move forward with scheduling your implant surgery.
How Long Do They Last?
With proper care, dental implants can last for well over ten years. Even though your implants cannot get a cavity, the area around your implants is still susceptible to damage and infection from bacteria. Poor oral hygiene and gum disease can compromise the integrity of your implant. To preserve the life of your new smile, maintain a superb oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily for two minutes each time and flossing every day. Additionally, visits us every six months for cleanings and checkups, avoid smoking, and wear a custom-fitted nightguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
Dental Implants in Austin, TX
Do you have any additional questions about dental implants? Or are you interested in scheduling a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate? Contact our dental office in Austin, TX! We would be thrilled to help restore your smile to full function and beauty.