Dental Implants
Great Falls, MT
Nearly everybody can appreciate a good cup of coffee, and many people have a favorite place to get one. Whether it is a double espresso or iced with whipped cream, coffee can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The caffeine alone can keep us hooked, but as a daily drink, millions of people are subjecting their teeth to an abundance of acid from the coffee, and very few often stop at one cup. Not surprisingly, it is unfortunate to know that close to 200 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Because for many people, quitting coffee is not an option, River's Edge Dental would like to help restore your smile without having to miss a single cup.How Dental Implants May Benefit You
If you are missing teeth, then you may be happy to learn about dental implants and what they can do for you. Because losing a tooth does not seem like a big deal at the time, especially when it is one in the back, it will usually be ignored because of how well it can heal. What happens, though, is that when you lose a tooth, you are generally left with an empty socket. The tissue surrounding the socket receives a different message from the cells depending on if there is a tooth in it or not. If there is, the cells continue to regenerate and restore any degrading tissue. If, however, there is not one, then the jaw begins to recede into itself because there is no longer any tooth to protect.
One missing tooth can compromise the area around the teeth. In time, the bone may weaken and make it so the surrounding sockets begin to degenerate as well. It can be restored, however, by using a graft which can rebuild inferior jaw tissue. This will make it so no matter how deteriorated the bone is, there is a good chance you can still get dental implants. If we pull out the tooth, you can rest assured we will immediately begin to graft it to prevent any future complications. As a matter-of-fact, we can begin the grafting process while we are inserting your dental implants so your jawbone can get stronger as you heal.
How Implants Work
A tiny titanium rod is inserted into the hole in your jaw. Through a process known as osseointegration, over the course of the next several months, the titanium will likely infuse with your jawbone to make it a permanent part of your mouth. Once the rod has healed, a tiny metal connector, called an abutment, is applied to the stud. After that, all you will need is your replacement crown attached. It is often custom-designed, so if taken care of properly can last the lifetime of your smile. Be sure to continue your regular oral care, which should include brushing and flossing, especially around the implant to prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
How Long Is the Dental Implant Recovery Process
Dental implants can restore lost teeth. Since the implants mimic your natural tooth appearance, feel, and functionality, you'll feel more confident. To prevent slipping, moving, or falling out, a tooth implant is an artificial tooth fixed to your jawbone by a titanium post. The dental implant process can restore your beautiful smile with one or more tooth implants. At River's Edge Dental our doctors Dr. David Currie and Dr. Kimberly Currie can answer that all-important question that many ask which is, "Am I a candidate for dental implants?" along with answering any other questions you may have about dental implants.
Also, if you are interested in protecting the enamel of your teeth from the effects of coffee, consider looking into a fluoride toothpaste which may help strengthen it significantly. Just remember, the sooner that we know about a missing tooth or one that may be compromised and loose, the sooner we can begin restoration. If you would like to learn more about dental implants and how they work, please call us here at River's Edge Dental or call (406) 315-5882 to schedule a consultation.
