Considering Dental Implants? Here's What You Need to Know

Missing teeth can affect more than your smile. It can make it harder to chew or speak clearly, and even affect the shape of your face. While dentures and bridges have been common treatments for missing teeth for decades, dental implants have emerged as a durable and effective alternative.

Dental implants not only fix your smile, but they also keep your jaw healthy and strong. Designed to function like your natural tooth root, an implant provides a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your own. 

Our dental specialists at Solay Dental in Oldsmar and New Port Richey, Florida, offer dental implants to help restore smiles and oral health. Here’s what you need to know. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots. Typically made of titanium, the implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they integrate with the bone over time. 

Once the implant is secure, we place a connector called an abutment. The abutment holds the dental crown, which is the visible part of the tooth. 

Because the implant anchors directly into the jawbone, it's more stable than dentures or bridges and feels more like your natural teeth.

When we consider dental implants

We think dental implants are the best choice for most people missing one or more teeth because of how they closely mimic the function and appearance of your real teeth.

However, successful implant placement requires healthy gums and enough jawbone. If you have gum disease or jawbone loss, we may recommend treatments to improve your oral health first. In some cases, we use bone grafts to rebuild your jawbone and create a strong foundation for implants.

Getting dental implants

The dental implant journey begins with a restorative dental consultation. During this visit, we evaluate your oral health and discuss the tooth replacement options that best fit your needs.

If dental implants are the right choice and you decide to move forward, we will create a customized treatment plan. Using advanced technology and modern techniques, we remove any unhealthy teeth, prepare the jawbone, and place the implant. After the implant integrates with the bone, we attach the abutment and dental crown to complete the restoration and restore your smile. 

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants are considered the next best thing to your real teeth because they work just like your natural tooth root. They’re sturdy and long-lasting, allowing you to eat what you want and speak confidently without worrying about your teeth shifting or slipping. 

Implants also protect your jawbone. By stimulating the bone the same way your natural tooth roots do, implants support bone regeneration and prevent bone loss. 

Without this stimulation, your jawbone can gradually deteriorate, changing your facial structure. While dentures and bridges are excellent choices for tooth replacement, they don’t offer this advantage. Some people with dentures or bridges may notice changes in appearance, such as sunken cheeks, thinner lips, or a shortened facial profile.

Other factors to consider

Our practice offers several options for replacing missing teeth because dental implants aren’t the right fit for all. As a more invasive procedure, there are more risks with dental implants, like infections. 

Dental implants also tend to cost more than dentures or bridges and may not always be covered by insurance.

If you’re considering dental implants, our experts can answer your questions and help you decide if it’s right for you. Call us today or click online to schedule your consultation.