Discover dental implants and how they can replace missing teeth for a lifetime.
When we lose a permanent tooth it can feel defeating and stressful. Luckily you don’t have to just deal with a gapping smile. Your
Columbus, GA, family dentist Dr. Tyler Myers offers a myriad of dental treatments so you can remain confident in your smile. Find out about dental implants and how they could replace your missing teeth permanently.
What are dental implants?
Unlike other tooth loss treatments, dental implants are truly the only long-term solution. Implants are designed to actually function just like a tooth root, as they are surgically placed into the jawbone. Dental implants are made up of three parts:
- A small metal post
- An abutment
- A dental crown
What does a dental implant procedure involve?
Getting a dental implant usually requires two or three procedures performed over the course of several months. During the first procedure, your Columbus dentist will drill a small hole into the jawbone where your missing tooth once was. Then we will carefully place the implant into the hole and stitch up the gums. This procedure is performed in our office under local anesthesia.
Your mouth is then given several weeks to heal. During this time, a naturally occurring phenomenon known as osseointegration takes place. This is when the surrounding bone and tissue near the implant begin to grow around and fuse with the metal post as if it were a natural tooth root. This is what makes dental implants so successful. Once this has occurred we will open up the gums and place an abutment, or connector over the implant. The abutment serves to connect the dental crown to the implant.
After several more weeks of healing, we will then place your customized dental crown over your implant.
When should I consider getting dental implants in Columbus?
Dental implants are a great option for patients who are looking to replace one, several or even all of their teeth. These implants can hold one single dental crown or even stabilize a dental bridge or dentures to replace a full set of teeth.
Ideal candidates for getting dental implants in Columbus will have good oral hygiene free of cavities or uncontrolled gum disease. You should also be in good overall health and not be dealing with uncontrolled health conditions like heart disease. Those who smoke, are pregnant or have uncompromised immune systems are not right for dental implants.
Do dental implants sound like the treatment for you? Then it’s time to call your Columbus dentist Dr. Tyler Myers at North Park Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Don’t let tooth loss damage your beautiful smile.