Dental Implant Services in Springfield

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone where a tooth is missing. The post replaces your tooth root and will be topped with a crown, bridge or denture. In a few weeks, the implant will fuse with the jawbone, offering stability to the artificial tooth or teeth and giving you the freedom to resume activities including biting, chewing and speaking clearly.

Whether it’s one tooth, several teeth, or even implant-supported dentures, this innovative dental treatment will give you the ability to hold your head high and smile wide.

Why Should I Get a Dental Implant?

An implant is a revitalizing procedure that gives you a permanent artificial tooth that acts as your natural ones.
Your Implants don’t affect your adjacent teeth and are designed to to look and act just like natural teeth. With proper care, your dental implants can last the rest of your life.

Another innovative use of implants is to support a full row of replacement teeth. Traditional, removable dentures can fit poorly, slip, or fall out at the worst times. Also, when speaking, your words may be slurred or it may sound as if you are mumbling. An implant-supported denture eliminates these inconveniences and gives you teeth 24-hours-a-day, without the need for denture adhesive. The added benefit is a new smile that will restore your self-confidence.

Other Benefits of Dental Implants

There are many reasons why you should consider dental implants to restore your smile. Other benefits of this treatment option are:

Implants look and act like natural teeth

They are strong and stable and your family and friends will not notice they aren’t your original teeth.

Implants last a long time

Dental bridges are built to last five to seven years. Implants are designed to last a lifetime if cared for properly.

No slippage

Because the implants are imbedded in the jaw, they are a sturdy anchor for the crown, bridge, or denture that is attached.

Increased self-confidence

No more hiding from the camera or covering your mouth as you speak or chew.

Eat what you want.

You can eat your favorite foods again, including steak. No more soft food days for you.

Preserve bone

After you lose a tooth, the jawbone in that area of your mouth begins to deteriorate. A dental implant will stimulate bone growth.

Retain the shape of your face

As the jawbone deteriorates it affect the shape of your face, causing it to appear sunken or sag. Implants prevent this from happening by keeping the facial proportions intact and reducing premature wrinkling.

No cavities

Implants cannot be compromised by cavities. You will, however, need to brush and floss daily and see your dentist twice a year to maintain your new smile.

Keep teeth in your mouth

Removable dentures need to be taken out and stored each night. Implant-supported dentures stay in your mouth, giving you teeth 24-hours-a-day.

What to Expect during Implant Surgery

After a general exam and X-rays, your mouth will be readied for your implants. If the dental implant is replacing a damaged tooth, it will be extracted. Our dentist also will determine if there is enough natural bone to support the dental implant. If the amount of bone is shown to be insufficient, a bone graft will be performed.

A bone graft is actually a routine part of implant surgery. During a graft for a single tooth, sterile bone granules that look similar to sand are packed into the tooth socket. It is covered with collagen and a few stitches will close the space. Eventually, a stable base for the implant will emerge.

Our dentist in Springfield will place the implant into the jaw, where it will fuse with the bone over several weeks. For appearance sake, our dentist will place a temporary artificial tooth or teeth in the affected area. Once the implant is fully integrated, the dentist will place a color-matched crown, bridge or denture on top.

How do I Care for Dental Implants?

To care for your implants, brush twice a day and floss daily, just like you care for your natural teeth. You also should avoid damaging habits, such as chewing hard items such as ice or hard candy which could harm crowns as well as your natural teeth.

Call Today for a Dental Implant Consultation

Call our staff at Dental One Associates of Springfield at (571) 364-7212 today to make an appointment to determine if you are are a good candidate for dental implants. We’ll answer your questions, discuss the timetable so you know when your new smile would be in place, and help you fit the cost into your family budget. We are eager to help you eat, speak, and laugh again with self-confidence.