The loss of a tooth does not need to be a permanent setback. Dr. Brett Hester offers an advanced restorative option that allows you to regain natural oral function following tooth loss. Dental implants are titanium posts that anchor a crown, bridge, or denture to your jawbone.
The restorative treatment offers unrivaled stability and support. If you have a pending tooth extraction or wish to address a missing tooth, Dr. Hester can guide you through each step of the implant process: from consultation to implant surgery and final restoration placement.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Traditional prosthetics provide many benefits, but the restorations never truly feel or function like natural teeth. Prosthetics are held in place via nearby abutment teeth or the surface of your gums. Dental implants work differently. The titanium implants are surgically placed in the jawbone.
Over the course over several months, the implants fuse with the surrounding jawbone tissue through a natural process called osseointegration. This allows your prosthetic to function like a natural tooth. In fact, implants offer the only permanent solution to tooth loss.
Dental implants offer oral health benefits. Natural tooth roots stimulate jawbone growth. The loss of even one tooth can lead to jawbone atrophy, which can leave you looking advanced in age. Implants prevent the loss of bone mass and promote healthy supportive structures for your teeth. If you want to avoid the “sunken-in” cheeks that afflict many edentulous individuals, dental implants may be your best option.
Dental implants allow you to enjoy your favorite foods again. If you miss the ability to eat steaks or chewy desserts — something removable dentures do not afford — you can regain the ability to enjoy a normal diet once your implants have healed and your final prosthetic has been placed.
Are you a candidate?
Most individuals who have suffered tooth loss are candidates for receiving one or more implants. Patients should have adequate jawbone density to safely receive the titanium posts. If Dr. Hester finds that you have suffered from bone atrophy, you may need to undergo bone graft surgery to gain candidacy for implant placement. Risk factors for implants include tobacco use, periodontal disease, and certain medical conditions, among other factors.
Treatment Overview
The treatment timeline for dental implants averages around several months. Once your candidacy has been established, your implant placement will be scheduled. During the outpatient oral surgery, your implant will be placed in your jaw. Local anesthesia and possibly sedation will be used to ensure that you are comfortable.
An incision will be made in your gums and advanced Cone Beam Computed Tomography will be used to guide your implant placement. Once the implant is placed, gauze will be used to control bleeding and you will be released to recover. You will be given detailed recovery guidelines that are to be followed closely. Dr. Hester will let you know when you can resume normal activities.
While the initial healing process takes several days, it will take three to six months for the implant to naturally fuse with your jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. Once your implants have healed, you can be fitted with your final restoration.
Schedule Your Implant Procedure Today
Dental implants allow you to enjoy natural chewing function and to maintain healthy jawbones. Whether you recently experienced tooth loss or desire a superior prosthetic that doesn’t shift or wobble, Dr. Hester can fit you with an implant-retained restoration that allows you to regain natural oral function. To schedule your implant consultation, call (229) 247-3400.
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