4 Common Questions About Dental Implants

Do you need a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, but have questions about the procedure? It will help to know the answers to these common questions before you move forward. 

What Are Your Alternative Options?

You must understand the specific problem that you are facing and what the potential options are. Don't feel like you need to rush to get a dental implant because that is what the dentist suggested. It's possible to replace a missing tooth with a dental bridge or a partial denture, so you must weigh all of the pros and cons of each alternative option. It could be an issue that comes down to cost, comfort, or even a personal preference.

Why Use a Dental Implant?

You'll find that a dentist is likely recommending a dental implant for a good reason. An implant is going to provide you with some additional benefits that the other treatment options do not. A dental implant uses a post that goes into your jawbone and integrates with it. The post acts as a natural root and stimulates the jawbone over time. This helps keep the jawbone healthy and prevents it from deteriorating over time. While the implant procedure is more invasive, it can help provide long-lasting results that you may not be aware of. 

What Should You Expect from the Treatment Outcome? 

Many patients do not fully understand what it is like to get a dental implant, as well as what the potential outcome can be from the procedure. Talk to your dentist about what the final dental implant will look like, ask about how it feels when it is in your mouth, and how you'll have to take care of the implant after it is placed in your jaw. When you compare the treatment outcome to other options, you may find that a dental implant is the best choice. 

How Long Does the Dental Implant Process Take?

Know that getting a dental implant isn't something that happens in a day. You'll have to return to the doctor multiple times until the procedure will be finished. You'll need to have any health problems addressed before the procedure, which can include getting a bone graft to make your jaw bone stronger. Once that has healed, you can return to the dentist to have the titanium post implemented into your jawbone. The post will then take several months to fully integrate, and after that, you can have the crown placed on the post, which will simulate the look of a real tooth.