Dental Implants

Dental Implants Q & A

Why replace missing teeth?

When most people think about missing teeth, they focus on the aesthetic aspects. While missing teeth will certainly alter your smile, there is also a range of health issues to consider. 

To begin, missing teeth change the dynamics of your bite. You may not be able to enjoy a wide range of foods, which can leave you with nutritional deficiencies. Missing teeth also place undue pressure on your remaining teeth, leaving them at risk of fracture or other damage. 

The biggest health risk of missing teeth lies beneath the gum line. Your teeth are embedded directly into your jawbone tissue. Every time you bite down, you stimulate that bone, keeping it healthy and strong. 

A missing tooth leaves that portion of underlying bone without stimulation. Over time, the bone can begin to wear away, a process called resorption. That can weaken the connection with surrounding teeth and cause additional tooth loss. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option. They are a great fit for people who want to restore their smile without the need for continual repair and eventual replacement, which are considerations for dentures. 

Because implants are anchored into your bone tissue, the risk of bone loss is greatly reduced. Your dental implants can last a lifetime and require no special care or upkeep. 

What is the process for getting dental implants?

You’ll work closely with your periodontic specialist to determine if dental implants are your best treatment option. If you decide to move forward, a series of images are taken to learn more about the structure of your teeth and bone tissue. 

Once the proper placement angle has been determined, your gum tissue is opened to expose the bone. A small pilot hole is created to guide the implant, which is positioned within your jawbone. The gums are closed over the implant post. You’ll receive numbing medication before this process begins, so there is no pain during the procedure. 

A period of healing follows. Once your bone has fused to the implant, you’ll return to have the crown portion of the implant secured to the post. This completes your implant procedure, and you’ll walk out with your newly restored smile. 

When do you need a dental implant?

You should consider getting a dental implant if you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms:

• Acute toothache
• Gum swelling
• Tooth instability
• Lingering tooth pain

Some of these symptoms might be indicative of a condition that requires a more intensive intervention than dental implants. Before recommending dental implants, our team evaluates your overall health as well as your jawbone density to make sure the treatment area is strong enough to support the titanium posts.

If you have questions or concerns about dental implants, schedule a time to meet with the El Paso Periodontics & Implant Specialists team to learn more. Online scheduling takes just moments, or you can always call during business hours to check appointment availability.