Dental Implants
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are a revolutionary development in dental care. They replace not only a missing tooth, but also the all-important root that attaches your tooth to the tissues of your gums and jaw. Gateway Family Dentistry is proud to provide dental implant procedures in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and we’re happy to help you!
In the past, individuals with tooth loss have had few options for correcting their smiles. Crowns and bridges were available to replace a single tooth, but provided no support for the muscle and tissues of the jaw beneath. For individuals with multiple lost teeth, full mouth extractions and dentures were among the only options.
Fortunately, thanks to recent developments in dental science, a new procedure has become far more common for tooth replacement: dental implants.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a metal structure (typically titanium) that is implanted into the tissues of your gum. The metal structure functions similarly to a natural tooth root; it provides support for the attached artificial tooth and the tissues of the gum and jaw.
Who Can Receive Dental Implants?
Dental implants can and do work for a wide variety of people. There is no minimum or maximum age for the procedure, and most patients see good outcomes with their implants.
Individuals who don’t smoke, have healthy gum tissue, practice good oral hygiene and have good bone density are usually the best candidates.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
The main reason for choosing a dental implant is how long they last.
With good dental hygiene, the average lifespan for a dental implant is around 20 years. Implants also provide vital support to the underlying structures of the gums and jaw, preventing the muscle atrophy that often occurs when a tooth is removed at the root.
This is markedly different from other tooth replacement options like crowns and bridges, which only replace the visible part of the tooth.
Individuals who are at risk of muscle atrophy following tooth loss can benefit from dental implants.
What Can You Expect From A Dental Implant Procedure?
Each individual’s jaw, tooth and gum structures are different. However, the process of receiving a dental implant is generally the same for everyone.
The first step is to have your dental surgeon place the titanium tooth root into your jaw. The titanium will naturally fuse with the bone of your jaw as you heal from the procedure. Once it heals, the titanium root will function the same as a natural tooth root.
Once the healing process is complete, your dentist will place an abutment on the titanium root’s head so a custom crown can be securely attached.
To ensure that your teeth have an attractive and uniform appearance, your dentist will order a custom crown that fits seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Once the crown is complete, you can make an appointment with your dentist to have it attached to the abutment of your implant.
Are you ready to explore dental implants in Murfreesboro?
Contact Gateway Family Dentistry to make your initial appointment.
