All About Dental Implant Restoration

About 17% of adults aged 65 and older have lost all of their teeth. Beyond that, many more have lost at least one tooth or have damage or decay that could lead in that direction. 

If you’re among those populations, dental implant restoration may be just the solution you’re hoping for.

Our experienced team of dentists at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, replace missing teeth with dental implants to give you durable and natural-looking results.

Read on to learn more about dental implant restoration, including how the devices work and reasons to consider them.

How dental implants work

A dental implant is a specially designed titanium post that replaces the root of a tooth that’s missing or extracted. Paired with a dental crown, they function just like your natural teeth. 

Each crown matches your healthy, existing teeth, so it looks natural. 

And unlike dentures, you don’t remove them. Dental implants stay in place long term, sometimes for life if you properly take care of them. 

You can have one dental implant placed or several, depending on how many teeth are damaged or missing. If you need several teeth replaced, we might recommend implant-supported dentures.

The stages of dental implant restoration

Dental implant restoration takes place in several stages. First, our team will remove any damaged teeth. From there, we’ll prepare your jawbone. 

In some cases, jaw preparation requires bone grafting. During that process, tiny bits of bone are placed near your jaw for added density and volume. That helps ensure that your jawbone can support the implant.

Next comes the placement of each implant. During this outpatient surgery, our team inserts the implant in your gums. 

Once your jawbone has grown into the implant during a process called osseointegration, you’ll need another minor surgery. During this procedure, our team will place an abutment that will attach to your crown.

About two weeks after your abutment placement, you’ll receive your permanent crown. 

The entire dental implant process usually takes several months.

Dental implant restoration results

To make the most of your implants, make sure you:

• Brush and floss your teeth daily
• Schedule routine dental cleanings and exams
• Avoid tobacco products, which can stain your teeth and crowns
• Avoid or limit hard candy, which can crack crowns and teeth

To learn more about dental implants call our dental team at Swinney Dental today. You can also schedule an appointment using the convenient online booking feature.