Smile Confidently with Dental Implants

If tooth loss has ravaged your self-esteem and negatively affected your appearance, there is hope. Dental implants are one option you have to reclaim your confidence, quality of life, and oral function. Not only will a dental implant and the permanent restoration attached to it, improve your quality of life and ability to eat food comfortably, your prosthetic tooth will improve your appearance by completing your smile. If you have questions about dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, call our office to reserve a consultation with our oral surgeon.

What Dental Implants Are

Dental implants are small, screw-shaped prosthetics made of titanium. They are used to replace the roots of teeth. A dental implant is embedded into the jawbone through a surgical procedure. Once the implant is stable, its permanent, custom restoration will be attached. Bridges and dental crowns are the most common types of restorations attached to dental implants.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants replace the structures of teeth that we cannot see, their roots. Once an implant is stabilized by bone through a process called “osseointegration”, a custom crown or bridge is attached to complete the tooth replacement process. A dental implant is very durable and has quite a long lifespan. The reason implants work so well for replacing the roots of teeth is the fact that the metal an implant is made from (titanium) is biocompatible with the body. This means the implant won’t be rejected as a foreign object. Instead, the implant will literally become a part of the body once bone fuses to its titanium structure.

When it comes to improving the appearance of one’s smile, lifelike restorations can be attached to dental implants. Porcelain and porcelain fused to metal make for wonderful restoration materials because they look virtually identical to healthy teeth.

Candidates for Implant Dentistry

The best candidates for dental implants have good oral health with no signs of periodontal disease. It is important that those receiving dental implants have healthy bones and gums because these structures support dental implants. The only way to be certain if implants are right for you is by scheduling a tooth replacement consultation.

Call our team at Charlottesville Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center today to reserve an appointment.