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Dental Implants

Dental implants are an effective way to replace one or more missing natural teeth. An implant looks and feels just like a natural tooth. Each implant is custom made so that it blends in with your other natural teeth. When the implant is placed, your smile will be functionally and cosmetically restored.

 

When Dental Implants Are Recommended

 

Dental implants are recommended if you are missing one or more of your teeth. Having the implant placed helps to keep the rest of your teeth in their proper position in your jaw. If you do not want to deal with having tooth structure removed and crowns placed to affix a dental bridge, an implant is a good alternative. Implants can also be used in place of partial or complete dentures.

How the Implant Procedure Works

To place a dental implant, your dentist uses a titanium post and anchors it into your jaw. Over a three- to six-month period, your body generates new bone tissue that grows around the post. This strengthens the post and enables it to support an artificial tooth crown. Once your jaw is healed and strong, the customized tooth crown is screwed onto the post.

 

Who Can Get a Dental Implant

You may qualify for a dental implant if you are missing one or more of your teeth and your jaws have completed their growth. Completion of jawbone growth is necessary because it helps to ensure that you have enough bone mass to anchor the titanium post in place. For women, this happens at around age 16, and for men, it happens at about age 18. For this reason, dental implants are only performed on adults.

 

Contact the dental practice of Cam Kesteven, DDS, today to learn more about dental implants and find out if you are a candidate for this procedure.