Why would I need a dental implant?

Approximately 120 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, which has prompted the dental world to answer the call with suitable replacement options. One choice that has people smiling from ear to ear is a dental implant, which provides incredible stability, allowing people to eat, chew, and smile with ease.

Not only are dental implants an excellent choice for replacing missing teeth, but they also provide support for other dental appliances, such as partial dentures and bridges.

The team at Gunnerson Dental can replace an entire row of teeth using only four implants to anchor the prosthetics. Called an All-on-4Ⓡ, this technique provides you with a stable, nonremovable line of replacement teeth.

Why is an implant a superior tooth-replacement option?

When you lose a tooth, you lose much more than what you see above the gumline. The roots of your teeth go down into your jawbone to provide your teeth with excellent stability, and your jaw responds by continually renewing the bone to provide this support.

When you lose a tooth right down to its roots, the bone in the area no longer receives the message that the area is active, so it ceases to renew the bone tissue. This can then lead to bone loss in your jaw, jeopardizing your surrounding teeth.

With an implant, the team at Gunnerson Dental places a titanium post into your jawbone, which your body accepts as the new “root” and fuses it into place with new bone tissue.

What is the process of getting a dental implant?

If you want to replace your teeth with a dental implant, the team at Gunnerson Dental completes the procedure from start to finish right in their office. So it’s convenient for you because there’s no need to make a separate trip to an oral surgeon or another specialist.

First, your dentist ensures that your old tooth is cleared away entirely and that your bone is strong enough to support the implant. 

With your jaw ready, they place the implant into your bone and then attach a crown to the post. It may take a little time for your body to fuse the implant into place with new bone growth, but you should be able to function normally while the implant completely stabilizes.

The great news is that once your implant becomes the new root, it should go the distance with you.

To explore dental implants, call Gunnerson Dental or request an appointment using the online scheduling tool.