What to expect from the dental implants procedure in Dayton

Dental implants are the gold standard solution for missing teeth today. With this form of replacement, we are able to restore form to the smile with a prosthetic tooth, and full stability and function by also replacing the lost root system. Implant posts are placed into the jawbone, creating a firm foundation that supports chewing and clear speech. In the months that follow implant surgery, bone tissue grows around the implant post, permanently fixing it into place within the jaw.

The dental implants procedure explained

In our Dayton office, Dr. Cobb will conduct a thorough consultation and examination to determine candidacy for dental implants. Optimal results are facilitated by good general health as well as oral health. Advanced gum disease, cancer or radiation treatment involving the head or neck, uncontrolled diabetes, or certain other disease processes makes dental implant treatment more complex. For this reason, we discuss not only oral conditions but general medical history, as well.

Dental implants are placed in an outpatient procedure with an experienced oral surgeon with whom we collaborate. This surgeon will perform the implant procedure with the use of local anesthetic to assure your comfort. Should additional procedures be necessary for the successful placement of dental implants, such as grafting, they may be completed at the same time, or in a separate pre-implant procedure, as directed by the oral surgeon. Every patient is different, with unique needs that we meet with a personalized approach to care.

Once the area has been numbed, the oral surgeon carefully places dental implants in precise locations within the jawbone, where they are left to fuse with healthy bone tissue. The healing period typically takes from two to six months to complete, after which, Dr. Cobb will finish the implant process by affixing a custom-crafted dental crown or denture appliance to the implant or implants.

Dental implants boast a very high success rate, and can serve as a lifelong tooth replacement with proper oral hygiene and maintenance. Caring for implants is no different from caring for natural teeth, with daily brushing and flossing. With these two activities, oral bacteria is kept to a minimum, and gum tissue, a necessary support for successful implants, is sustained.

If you are living with a missing tooth or teeth, or have a dental bridge or denture appliance that is not meeting your needs, dental implants may be the ideal solution for your healthiest smile.

Contact Alex Bell Dental for your appointment today.