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Have questions about dental implants? You’ve come to the right place! Our dental implant dentist in South Bend, IN, is accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options.
Compared to other treatments, the dental implant procedure offers a permanent solution to tooth loss. That way, you’re able to smile, talk, laugh, and eat with confidence.
Here’s what you need to know about getting a tooth implant at Select Dental Associates. If you have any questions that aren’t listed here, please feel free to reach out to our office and we’d be more than happy to set up a consultation with our dentist.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. During oral surgery, the doctor places the implant deep in the jawbone. Over the next several months, this implant will fuse to the bone and create a solid foundation for the abutment and crown to sit over top. Together, the implant, abutment, and crown give you the full appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Can I Get Dental Implants?
You may be a if you have one or more missing teeth. But to know for sure, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with our dentist in South Bend, Indiana.
In general, you may be a candidate for dental implants if you have healthy gums and enough bone density in your jaw to support the titanium screw. The ideal patient would also be a non-smoker since smoking inhibits your body’s natural healing ability after .
Which is Better, Dental Implants or Dentures?
One of the main advantages of dental implants is that they’re fused to the jawbone. This provides you the ultimate stability as you eat, talk, laugh, and smile. Even well-fitting dentures will slip from time to time when you make an abrupt movement, such as sneeze or cough. While you can discreetly correct slipping dentures by gently biting down and swallowing, many patients would prefer to avoid this hassle altogether.
Since dentures sit on top of your gums, they don’t prevent jawbone deterioration. But a dental implant exerts pressure on your jawbone, replacing the function of a natural tooth. This prevents the body from absorbing the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere after tooth loss.
Learn More: Should I Get Dental Implants or Dentures? →
Do Dental Implants Require Special Care?
Take care of dental implants as you would natural teeth. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. You should also floss to remove any food particles or plaque hiding between teeth.
In general, your dental implants can last for decades if you practice good oral hygiene and continue seeing our South Bend dentist for preventive care.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. However, this means that you’ll be responsible for practicing good oral hygiene and seeing our dentist on a regular basis for routine preventive care.
Likewise, it’s important that you detect and treat bruxism right away to avoid damaging the crown that sits on top of your implant. At Select Dental Associates, we offer custom night guards to protect your smile from teeth grinding and clenching.
The better you care for your dental implants, the longer they’re likely to last.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation
Ready to take the next step? Our dental implant dentist in South Bend, IN, is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 232-8888. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
