Approximately 69 percent of adults in this country have lost at least one tooth. If not replaced, individuals with missing teeth risk losing up to 20 percent of adjacent teeth over the next four to eight years. Not only do missing teeth impact your dental health, but they can also make you look older and create limits in your diet. Dental implants provide modern, attractive replacements for missing teeth.

Fabricated from biocompatible titanium, a dental implant is a small, metal post surgically placed into your gum tissue. The implant acts as an artificial root for the prosthetic crown that anchors to the top of the post. One implant is used for each missing tooth. Dental implants are permanently positioned in your jaw, renewing the stability and strength of your smile. Your dentist can perform a complete evaluation to make sure you have sufficient bone structure to support the dental implants.

Usually, dental implant placement is a two-step process. During the first procedure, a specialist performs the surgery to position the implants into your jaw bone. Your mouth will need about three to six month for healing. During the healing, the bone will fuse to the implants, which forms a solid foundation for the porcelain crowns that your dentist will place on top of each implant during the 2nd procedure.

With dental implants, patients can once again smile confidently and eat the foods they love. Unlike dentures, implants won’t shift or require any adhesive creams. Treat your implants as you do your natural teeth with frequent brushing, regular flossing, and routine dental checkups. If well-cared for, dental implants have a 95 to 98 percent success rate.

Consider dental implants at the office of Dr. Yolanda Cruz