Dental Implants in Forest Lake
Dental Implants Near You
A dental implant is a surgical fixture which is placed and fused into the jawbone, acting as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth. The dental implant allows for a replacement tooth or bridge to be attached. This procedure allows patients to have a replacement tooth or set of teeth that functions like natural teeth do, without affecting the neighboring teeth. Implants are made from titanium, allowing them to easily integrate with the bone without being rejected from the body. With advancements in science and technology, today the success rate of dental implant placement is close to 98%.
When Do You Need a Dental Implant?
Depending on the patient, dental implants in Forest Lake, MN 55025 are used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full set of teeth. The objective is to restore the function of natural teeth as well as aesthetics of the patient’s smile. In regard to tooth replacement, there are three options to choose from: a removable dental appliance (dentures), a fixed dental bridge (fixed), and a dental implant. Deciding on which restorative option is dependent on multiple factors. Specifically, for dental implants near you, these are some of the factors to keep in mind:
- The location of the missing tooth or teeth
- The quantity and quality of the bone in the jaw (where the implant will be placed)
- The overall health of the patient
The area will be examined to be considered for the dental implant procedure and your dentist will determine whether or not you are a good candidate.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide many advantages over other tooth replacement options. Some of these advantages include the following:
- Improved functioning – Dental implants act and look like natural teeth due to the nature of the surgery, which involves fusing the implant with the bone. The bone fusion usually takes 3-6 months.
- Improved appearance –Dental implants, once fused, allow for a false tooth to be placed on the implant, which appears just like a natural tooth in terms of shape, size, and color.
- Improved speech – Other restorative dental appliances, such as a denture, can affect the way a patient speaks due to their removability. Dental implants allow patients to speak without issues as they are fused with the bone.
- Improved self-esteem – Dental implants near you are able to give you a natural-looking smile and restore a patient’s self-confidence.
- Durability – Dental implants are durable over the course of many years. With good oral hygiene practices, many implants are able to last a patient’s lifetime.
- Improvement in oral health – Dental implants don’t require dentists to reduce the size of other teeth, as is required for a tooth-supported dental bridge. Nearby teeth are not changed, which can enhance long-term oral health. Individual dental implants allow easy access between teeth for flossing.
- Convenience – Dental implants near you prevent embarrassing possibilities that removable dentures can cause as well as the need for messy adhesive solutions used to keep them in place. They act and function as natural teeth do once the procedure is completed.
What Is Involved in Getting Dental Implants?
The first step is assessing the patient and developing a treatment plan specific to that patient. Once it is established if the patient is a good candidate and the number of implants needed, a second visit is scheduled for the surgical portion of the procedure. The tooth root implant, a small post made from titanium, is surgically placed into the bone socket. As the jawbone is healing, it surrounds the implanted metal post, securing it into the jaw.
A small connector post called an abutment is then attached to the titanium post in order to hold the new replacement tooth. In order to make the new tooth or teeth, an impression of your teeth will be taken, and a model of the patient’s bite is created. This new tooth is created based on this model. A replacement tooth, or dental crown, is then created and attached to the abutment. Your dentist will match the color, shape, and size of your new tooth to the remaining natural teeth to help it blend in. Schedule your consultation for dental implants in Forest Lake, MN 55025 today.