Since dental implants require surgery and they are meant to be permanent, candidates must meet a few different criteria to be approved for treatment:
- First, your mouth must be healthy and free of major issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
- Your gums and jaw bone must be strong and healthy enough to accept a dental implant.
- You must have relatively good oral hygiene standards.
- Non-smokers are preferred for treatment, since smoking and tobacco use can interfere with the healing process after surgery.
During your consultation, Dr. Keeling will assess the health of your teeth and gums to determine whether you are a good candidate for treatment. If so, you will be referred to a trusted implant specialist for your implant placement procedure.
Dental implants are quickly becoming the gold standard for replacing missing teeth because they offer a wide range of benefits:
Completely natural look and feel – Most dental implants use a two-part design consisting of the implant and a porcelain crown. Because the implant is permanently attached to your jaw, it looks and feels completely natural and will never move or shift in your mouth. Your dental implant restoration will be completely indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Durable with a long lifespan – Dental implants usually last 30+ years with proper care, and most patients will have their dental implants for the rest of their lives.
Cost-effective – Dental implants are more costly up-front than alternative treatments. However, other restorative procedures like dentures and dental bridges must be replaced every 5-15 years, making implants a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
After Dr. Keeling has confirmed that you are a good candidate for an implant, the process usually takes two appointments. During your first appointment, your mouth will be numbed and cleaned. Then, an implant specialists will make a small opening in your gums and jaw. They will then place the implant and the area will be sutured shut, and if you’re having multiple implants placed, this process will be repeated.
Your mouth will need to heal for 3-6 months after surgery to ensure that the implant is properly osseointegrated with the surrounding tissue. As your gums are healing, Dr. Keeling will craft your custom dental restoration (typically a crown, bridge or denture), which will be attached to your dental implant to fully restore your smile. At your last appointment, your dental restoration will be checked to ensure that it fits perfectly. It will then be bonded into place, and you’ll leave our office with a restoration that looks and feels completely natural.
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