Considering dental implants, but have a few questions about them? Here is what you likely want to know about the procedure. 

Who Can Get A Dental Implant? 

One of the great things about dental implants is that anyone can get them as long as their jawbone is able to support the titanium post that is inserted into the bone. For those with weak jawbones, a bone graft procedure can be performed to strengthen the bone and allow the titanium post to integrate with the jawbone. That's why it's always worth getting a consultation, rather than assuming that you are not a good candidate.

Are Dental Implants Restricted To Replacing Certain Teeth?

The dental implant procedure is going to work great for any tooth in your mouth that is missing. It doesn't matter if it is a rear molar or a front tooth since the implant will replace the missing tooth in a way that looks and feels natural. Others won't be able to tell that you have a missing tooth. 

How Many Teeth Can Be Replaced With Dental Implants?

Dental implants are quite versatile and capable of replacing several teeth in your mouth. A single implant can actually be used to place several teeth, which makes it better than using a dental bridge that spreads across a big gap of teeth. Dental implants are even capable of replacing an entire set of teeth if necessary. This is known as all-on-four dental implants, where each jaw only requires four strategically placed implants that can support the row of teeth. You don't need to have a titanium post for each tooth. 

How Do You Care For Dental Implants?

Even though dental implants are artificial teeth, you still care for them in the same way that you care for natural teeth. The goal is to brush and floss not for cavity prevention but to keep plaque out of your gum line, which can lead to gum disease. 

How Long Does The Dental Implant Process Take?

It can take several months to receive a dental implant because the titanium post will need to fully integrate with the jawbone before the permanent crown is placed on the post. On the day that the post is placed into your jawbone, you will receive a temporary crown to go in your mouth. Once the implant fully integrates and is capable of supporting the final crown, you will return to the dentist and have the temporary crown swapped out with the permanent crown. 

For more information on dental implants, contact a dentist near you.