Dental implants are a highly effective solution for replacing missing teeth, blending seamlessly into the natural appearance of your smile. They provide a permanent base for fixed replacement teeth that are designed to look, function and feel just like your own teeth. Implants are considered the ideal option for replacing missing teeth, and may be recommended to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.
A dental implant is a small, sturdy, titanium post that acts as the root part of a missing tooth. The implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gum line. This integration with the bone, a process known as osseointegration, provides stable support for artificial teeth, working to keep your supporting bone healthy and strong, just like your natural tooth roots, and ensuring that your prosthetic teeth will not shift in your mouth — a very important benefit, especially when eating and speaking. Both regular implants and mini dental implants are available, and our dentist will evaluate your mouth and jaw to determine which type of implant is right for you.
Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post, called an abutment, is attached to the implant to securely hold the new tooth. After that, our dentist will create a custom-made implant restoration to cap the post. This restoration could be a single crown, a bridge or a denture, depending on your needs. Your restoration will be carefully designed to match your natural teeth, enhancing the function and aesthetic of your smile.
Benefits of choosing dental implants include:
- Improved Oral Health: Dental implants do not require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
- Durability: Implants are very durable and can last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
- Convenience: Unlike removable dentures that can require messy adhesives, dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for repairs.
Dental implants are an excellent option for nearly anyone who has lost a tooth, several teeth or even all their teeth due to injury, disease or decay. To see if you are a candidate for dental implants in Murray, Kentucky, please call or text us at 270-753-1572 and schedule a consultation with Dr. James Wells. We are committed to helping you restore your smile and improving your oral health.