Am I A Good Candidate forDental Implants?

Usually, the placement of a dental implant will require just two appointments at Tempe Dental. After Dr Salem has decided that you are a viable candidate for a dental implant, we’ll schedule your first appointment.

During this appointment, a post is placed in your jawbone and gum tissue. This post is placed at the root of your missing tooth, and an abutment on the post will extend slightly above the gumline. This is where the dental crown will eventually be attached.

After the post has been placed, it will be given time to heal and permanently bond with the surrounding gum tissue and bone, functioning as an artificial root. This process usually takes somewhere between 3-6 months. During this time, Dr. Salem will create a dental crown that mimics the shape and appearance of your original tooth.

Once your mouth has healed completely and the post has bonded to the tissue around it, you’ll come in for a second appointment. Your artificial tooth will be checked for a proper fit, and then permanently bonded to the abutment with a dental adhesive.

Dental implants are more expensive than dentures or dental bridges, but they have a variety of benefits that make them a better overall investment. 

• Permanent Restoration – Dental implants are permanent. With proper care, you will never have to replace a dental implant. It will last you for the rest of your life. In contrast, dentures usually require replacement every 5 years, and dental bridges will usually need to be rebuilt every 10-15 years. Over time, dental implants are actually more cost-effective than other tooth restoration procedures.
• Dental Implants Look and Feel Natural – Dental implants feel just like a normal tooth. After your procedure is complete, it will be almost impossible to distinguish it from the rest of your teeth. You can chew, bite and speak normally, and nobody has to know that you have a dental implant.
• Requires No Specialized Care – Treat it exactly as you would for a natural tooth. Simply brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, and make sure that you see a dentist for a regular 6-month tooth cleaning. That’s it. There are no food restrictions or specialized care requirements for dental implants.
• Prevents Damage to Teeth and Gums – If you are missing a tooth, your other teeth will naturally “shift” towards the gap in your mouth. This can lead to permanent damage to your smile and your bite. A dental implant is the best way to prevent this.

• Teeth shifting – After you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will slowly begin to shift toward the empty socket. This can cause your teeth to become crooked and interfere with a proper bite. Dental implants prevent this by filling up the space where your missing tooth used to be, ensuring your teeth do not shift.
• Uneven tooth wear – Another common issue related to tooth loss is uneven wearing down of teeth. Once you’ve lost a tooth, the adjacent teeth may be subjected to more uneven, heavy pressure when you bite and chew. In turn, this can lead to damage to the teeth. Dental implants allow you to restore your smile and replace your missing teeth, preventing uneven tooth wear.
• Bone resorption – Dental implants have the unique ability to prevent bone resorption due to tooth loss. Once you’ve lost a natural tooth, the underlying bone will no longer be stimulated by the pressure of biting, chewing and smiling, and it will begin to deteriorate. Because dental implants function as an artificial tooth root, they stimulate the jaw bone, preventing this from occurring. Other types of dental restorations, like dental bridges and dentures, cannot do this.

Following your procedure, Dr. Salem will provide you with comprehensive instructions for the recovery process. There are two phases in the implant healing process. First, your mouth will go through an initial healing and recovery period from the surgery. For a few days after your implant surgery, you may experience some bruising, swelling, discomfort, and minor bleeding. However, most of these symptoms should subside within 24-48 hours. You should wait at least 4 days before engaging in heavy exercise, and you will likely need to eat soft foods for about 7-14 days after your procedure. Be careful and gentle when brushing around the implant site.

After about 2 weeks, your implant will be healed. Then, the second phase of implant healing, which is known as “osseointegration” begins. Your implant is made of Titanium, which has the unique ability to bond permanently with the gum and jaw tissue in your mouth. Over a period of 3-6 months, your dental implant will become completely surrounded by your jaw tissue, and bonded into place. Once your implant has fully osseointegrated, the healing process is complete, and your implant-supported restoration can be attached to your dental implant, restoring your smile.

Dental implants are the best permanent method of treating missing teeth. Compared to alternative treatments like dentures and dental bridges, which may need to be replaced every 5-15 years, dental implants are a much better long-term option for restoring missing teeth. With proper care, such as regular brushing, flossing, and visits to Tempe Dental for teeth cleanings and oral exams, your implants can last a lifetime.

Not sure if dental implants are right for you? Call the Tempe dentist at Tempe Dental today for an appointment. Dr. Salem will perform a comprehensive oral exam, and help you understand whether or not you’re a candidate for dental implants.

With a dedication to patient satisfaction, an informative style of dentistry, and a positive attitude, Dr. Salem is a truly wonderful dentist who will take great care of you. Don’t let tooth loss prevent you from living your best life. Contact us by phone at (602) 8327670 for an appointment, or come to our office at 2139 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282.