Wondering if dental implants are the right choice for your smile? Book a consultation with our dental implant dentist in South Bend, IN. Dr. Gasko will be able to determine if you're a likely candidate for and help you plan out your next steps.
Here's what you need to know.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that's made out of a titanium alloy. This alloy is biocompatible and will bond with your natural jawbone over the course of several months. Once the tooth implant is fully stabilized, our dentist will place the abutment and crown over top. Together, the implant, abutment, and crown give you the full look and function of a natural tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implant Treatment
The dental implant procedure can help prevent bone loss in the jaw, along with subsequent tooth loss. When you are missing a tooth, if it is not replaced relatively soon, the teeth on both sides will start leaning into the open gap and will eventually fall out. These tilting teeth are also more vulnerable to decay and may cause difficulty eating and talking.
One of the main benefits of dental implants is that they help prevent bone loss by applying pressure to your jaw while you chew. This pressure signals the body to keep supplying nutrients to your jaw to maintain it. When there is no root in a tooth socket, there is nothing to apply pressure to the jawbone and your body will at some point start taking the nutrients away to use elsewhere.
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Candidates for Dental Implants
In order to qualify for , you need sufficient bone density to support the titanium posts along with healthy gums. That being said, Dr. Gasko may recommend a bone graft to supplement the bone tissue you already have. It's also preferable that candidates for dental implants be non-smokers. This is because smoking inhibits the body's natural ability to heal itself, especially after dental implant treatment.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation
Our , is accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. To schedule a consultation, 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.
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