Dental Implants in Charlotte, NC

Do You Need Dental Implants?

If you have missing teeth, you have many dental options at your disposal. One of the best is the tooth implant. This provides a secure restoration that is extremely comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Continue reading to learn more about dental implants and how they can help to enhance your smile.

What Are Dental Implants Near Me?

A tooth implant is composed of a screw-like titanium post that is inserted into the place where a tooth is missing. The post is surgically placed inside of the jawbone to create a stable foundation for its crown and offer integrity to the jawbone. Once installed, a tooth implant is a permanent fixture.

A healthy tooth will have roots that stretch down into your jawbone. This helps to keep your bone in a healthy condition. If you have a tooth removed, there will be no remaining roots to provide integrity to your jawbone. If left untreated for a while, your jawbone density will actually decrease. This can significantly impact your speech, chewing, and other mouth-related tasks.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants Near Me?

Dental implants near me aren't the ideal fit for everyone. Those who are ideal candidates have healthy gums and one or more missing teeth. If you've had missing teeth for quite a long time, it's likely that your jawbone density may have deteriorated too much to support an implant. It's best to have the situation evaluated by our dentist, Dr. Adam C. Smigiel, to see if you are a good candidate for this oral health procedure.

What Is the Procedure for a Tooth Implant?

Before you opt for having a dental implant, it's a good idea to fully understand what goes into the procedure. This can help to ensure that you feel comfortable in the process and are knowledgeable about what is coming next. We're going to discuss the procedure for installing one tooth implant. If you're having multiple dental implants installed, the procedure would simply be replicated to each area where you're missing teeth.

First, we'll start by placing the titanium implant into the missing tooth socket and down into the jawbone. After a couple of weeks, we'll check the implant to ensure that it's properly fused with your jawbone. You may hear this process referred to as osseointegration.

Once the implant has been determined to be stable, we'll attach an abutment. This is simply a middle piece that attaches to the implant post and holds on the top crown or artificial tooth. Typically, the abutment will need a few weeks to allow the tissue around it to heal properly. The last step in the implant process is having a crown or artificial tooth attached to the abutment to create a fully functional smile. If you're interested in getting dental implants, contact West Charlotte Dental located in Charlotte, NC today!