Dental Implants in Jacksonville, FL: Implant Dentistry Basics

Jacksonville, Florida, has many dental practices that offer tooth replacement options, including dental implants.

If you are not sure what an implant is, or have never noticed one because they can look much like natural teeth, read on.

The simplest way to describe a dental implant is a small post implanted in your jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root. A crown, bridge or denture is then attached to it to replace one or more missing teeth. Implants can help people who lost teeth to injury, gum (periodontal) disease or decay.

Before getting a dental implant, it is good to know that the process can take several months, because it usually happens in stages. With implants there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’. First, the dentist or oral surgeon places the implant in your jaw during surgery. It is often covered with gum tissue while it fuses with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration.

According to Cleveland Clinic, that healing phase can take three to nine months, depending on how quickly you heal.

Dental implants consist of 3 different parts: The implant itself (which looks similar to a screw and is usually made of titanium or zirconia), an abutment (the supporting part, which connects the crown) and the crown (which is custom made to fit into your mouth). Click here to learn more about dental implants

Dental implants have a high success rate, which is why many dentists recommend them. A small percentage do fail, either soon after surgery or months or years later.

Failure is usually not an immune “rejection.” More often, the bone does not fuse with the implant, or infection and bone loss develop around it later. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and gum disease raise the risk.

Ideally the dentist would be the best judge on whether you are the ‘ideal’ candidate for an implant or not. Some of the things they check are: Are you in good general health? Do you have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant, or would you need a bone graft? Are your gums free of active disease? Do you smoke or vape, which can disrupt healing? Once all these things have been checked, your dentist will have a consultation with you and explain the procedure and or significant details listing the bespoke treatment plan that will be specifically tailored for you.

Not replacing a missing tooth can let nearby teeth shift and can lead to bone loss in the jaw where the tooth was. Over time, this can make eating or speaking harder and change your bite.

Read more about gum recession here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312992.php

There Are 2 Types Of Dental Implants:

The two main types are:

Endosteal (in the bone):

This is the most common type. These implants, usually shaped like small screws, are surgically placed into the jawbone.

Each implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth. They are a common alternative to removable dentures or a bridge, if you have enough healthy bone.

Subperiosteal (on the bone):

This type sits under the gum on top of the jawbone rather than inside it, with posts that come through the gum to hold the teeth. It is used much less often today, mainly for people who lack enough bone height and cannot or do not want to have a bone graft.

Like natural teeth, implants need thorough at-home oral care and regular dental visits to last.

Brushing and flossing every day will still apply. Once you have had the treatment, your periodontist or dentist, should be working closely with you to develop the best care plan and follow-up sessions to check on its healing to make sure it stays healthy.

That’s why it’s essential to visit dental clinics like dentist near me Cookeville so they can determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants or suggest other options for replacing missing teeth.

Sources

• Dental Implants, Cleveland Clinic
• Dental Implants: What You Should Know, U.S. Food and Drug Administration