Dental Implants

If you need to replace one or more missing teeth, dental implants are a great solution. Implant dentistry is an area of expertise for Jeffrey Osborne, DDS, and the team at Dental Studio of Hurst in Hurst, Texas. If you’d like to learn more, call the office to schedule a visit. Online booking is also an option, and it’s fast and easy.  

Why replace missing teeth?

Missing teeth can definitely make it hard to feel confident about your appearance, but there are also serious dental health issues to consider. When you lose a tooth, your bone health is at risk. 

Each of your natural teeth anchors directly within the underlying bone. When you bite or chew, you stimulate your jawbone tissue, keeping it healthy and strong. Losing a tooth means losing that stimulation, and your bone can begin to wear away over time. This weakens the connection between adjacent teeth and bone. 

Missing teeth also negatively affect your speech patterns and ability to enjoy a varied diet. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are an option that permanently replaces missing teeth. You can have a single dental implant to replace one tooth, or choose a system that anchors an entire upper or lower span of missing teeth using just four implanted posts (implant-retained dentures). 

An individual implant consists of an artificial crown that replaces the visible portion of your tooth. A metal post replaces the root of the tooth, and attaches within your bone. Some implant systems use a small piece called an abutment to connect the post and crown. 

What are the steps involved in getting dental implants?

If you and your dentist decide an implant is a good fit for your needs, you’ll come in at least two more times to have the procedure performed. During the initial visit, an injection of numbing medication ensures you won’t feel a thing.

Your dentist then makes an incision to gain access to your jawbone. A small pilot hole guides placement of the implant post. Once the post is properly positioned, your dentist closes the gum tissue around the post, and a period of healing begins. 

After several weeks have passed, your bone tissue fuses to the implanted post. Then, you return to have the crown portion of the implant attached, which completes the restoration. 

Dental implants don’t require any special care. During your subsequent dental exams, your dentist checks your implant along with the rest of your teeth. Implants are designed to last a lifetime, but if your crown ever needs to be repaired or replaced, the team at Dental Studio of Hurst is here to help. 

To see if you can benefit from dental implants, call Dental Studio of Hurst to schedule a face-to-face consultation or book a visit online today.