Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants act as replacement teeth for missing or badly injured teeth. The implant is a titanium post secured directly into your jawbone and below your gumline. Dental implants anchor crowns, dentures, and bridges securely to your mouth for long-lasting use without needing to prepare adjacent teeth like with traditional bridges or crowns.

Are dental implants right for me?

If you have at least one missing tooth and want to preserve your bone in your jaw, you’re generally a good candidate for dental implants. Other factors for dental implants include:

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Cancer
• Smoking
• Uncontrolled gum disease
• Alcoholism
• Amount of bone in the jaw

We give you a full assessment of your missing teeth and discusses if dental implants best suit your needs and your health. He may also recommend using mini dental implants instead of having a bone graft for surgical dental implants.

What are dental implants made of?

Dental implants are made of two parts: the post and the tooth. The post is made of titanium and the tooth portion is composed of porcelain, resin, or ceramic. The tooth portion is called a dental crown, bridge, or denture, and is designed for long-lasting use and can be colored to match your other teeth. We explain the options of the best material for you and your needs.

How are dental implants placed?

We use implants for replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or for dentures. He prepares your mouth before placing the post with a cleaning and anesthetic, where necessary to avoid discomfort. He drills a small hole into your jawbone and inserts the post into the hole. He secures the post with a small wrench.

Once the post is correctly placed, he measures the area for the tooth portion. Depending on the type of replacement used, the laboratory created tooth is usually ready in a week. We may place a temporary crown in the area until the permanent tooth replacement is ready.

We remove your temporary crown and inserts your permanent crown, bridge, or denture at a later appointment.

How do I take care of my dental implants?

Even though dental implants are laboratory created, they require regular brushing, flossing, and exams. We monitor your implant post site, and crown, bridge, or denture for infection. He uses a specialized tool for cleaning the artificial tooth during cleanings and provides you with many tips for caring for your new tooth. With proper oral hygiene, your dental implant can last many years because of its durability.

Having a whole and complete smile gives you confidence. Speak with us at Tenth Street Family Dental in Indianapolis, Indiana, about how dental implants can increase your quality of life and help extend your bone health. Call the office or book an appointment online and be on your way to a full smile.