A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth that replaces your natural pearly whites when one or more of your natural teeth are missing. The implant itself is made from titanium, a metal that is biocompatible with the human body and is well-tolerated by the tissues in the mouth.

Dental implants are an ideal option for restoring your smile because they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Once in place, the implant post bonds to the bone in your jaw and stimulates new bone growth, helping to maintain the health and integrity of your jawbone.

Dental implants can be used to replace one missing tooth or several missing teeth in a row. They can be used to support a fixed bridge to fill in a gap where teeth are missing or to stabilize a removable denture. When these restorations are used with a dental implant, the implants can replace the roots of the teeth and provide added support for the restorations.

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

Dental implants are precision restorations that are surgically placed into the jawbone, making them a permanent fixture in the mouth. The implant itself is made from titanium, which is safe and biocompatible with the bones and tissues of the mouth. Titanium is also very strong, and that is one of the reasons implants are so effective at replacing missing teeth. 

Once the implant has been placed in the jaw, a process called osseointegration begins. During this process, the bone grows around the surface of the dental implant and holds it in place permanently. Osseointegration is usually complete within a few months, and the implant is then ready for use or restoration.

After an implant is placed into the bone, it can be restored with a dental crown to replace an individual tooth, a bridge to replace multiple teeth in a row, or a denture to complete the smile and replace all of the natural teeth at once. 

If a patient is missing all of their teeth on the upper or lower arch, a full-arch restoration can be completed with a set of dentures secured by a fixed number of dental implants. These implants help to secure the dentures and keep them firmly in place, which improves stability and comfort for the patient. It also preserves the jaw bone and prevents deterioration of the facial structure that can occur when teeth are missing.

Are Implants Truly Permanent?

Yes, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. The implant post is surgically implanted into the jawbone and fuses with the bone over time. Once this happens, the implant is as stable as a natural tooth root would be. If properly cared for and maintained, an implant can last a lifetime!

Dental implants also look and feel just like natural teeth. This allows patients to eat and speak normally without worrying about the embarrassment that is often associated with missing teeth.

To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (703) 444-9244 or schedule a consultation online. You can also visit Dentist in Sterling, VA at 46161 Westlake Dr., #110, Sterling, VA 20165.