Missing Teeth? How To Get Dental Implants

Three steps to a perfect smile!

How do you know if you’re a good candidate for dental implants? Anyone who has missing teeth is an excellent candidate for dental implants. However, it is important that you are in good health in order for the dental implants to successfully fuse to the bone. People that suffer from cancer, alcoholism, chronic gum disease, smoking, radiation to the jaw, or diabetes may not benefit from dental implants. If you want to know how to get dental implants you’ll need to see a dentist that can assess your situation.

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is fixed to your jawbone. There are two types of dental implants:

• Endosteal – These screw-like, cylinder, or blade implants are surgically implanted within the jaw bone. These are the most common types of dental implants, and are commonly used with patients who have removable dentures or bridges.
• Subperiosteal – These implants are for those who have minimum bone height, and do not benefit from conventional dentures. These metal implants are placed on top of the jawbone, but underneath the gums.

Dental Implants: A Common Procedure

The number of people receiving implants is growing by 500,000 a year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dental implants are benefiting millions of people with missing teeth. If you have missing teeth or think you’d benefit from dental implants it’s time to make an appointment with Penn Dental Family Practice!

When you come to Penn Dental Family Practice for your initial consultation your dentist will go over your medical and dental history, take x-rays of your teeth, and perform a dental examination. With this information, your dentist and periodontist will collaborate together to determine the best course of action.

How To Get Dental Implants

How to get dental implants can be easy depending on your medical and dental health. Dental implants can be done in a one, two, or a three step process. Below you’ll read about the three dental implant processes to give you the smile you desire.

• One-Step Procedure – One step dental implant procedures are generally done on patients with good bone quality. At the time of surgery a healing abutment is placed giving the periodontist the ability to place a crown on top of the abutment in one-step. It takes about 2-6 months for the implants to fuse to the jawbone. This means that it is imperative that the implants DO NOT move during this time.
• Two-Step Procedure – The implants are placed in the jawbone, and then the gums cover them, leaving them to heal. Once healed, a second surgery is performed to attach an abutment to secure the attachment of an artificial tooth. This procedure is done with poorer bone quality, allowing time for more bone regeneration.
• Restoration Procedure – This process takes a few weeks to complete. This is generally done when your implant needs some TLC. Your general dentist will be able to help make sure your teeth look and feel as natural as possible.

At Penn Dental Family Practice, we want to show you how to get dental implants the best way possible, and restore your smile. Call today (215)898-PDFP (7337)