What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants placed at Yakima Valley Periodontics.

Are missing teeth making your life miserable? Has it become difficult to eat your favorite foods, or are you embarrassed in social situations due to gaps in your smile? If so, dental implants may be able to help you and improve your quality of life. These restorations provide a permanent foundation to support new crowns, and even your existing dentures can be anchored to them to eliminate the need for messy adhesives. Dental implants can dramatically improve your health and confidence by allowing you to regain your beautiful and functional smile.

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium posts that will be surgically placed into your jaw bone where you are missing teeth. These implants serve as anchors that act like the root for an artificial tooth. After the implants are placed and the bone has had time to heal, the jaw bone will actually fuse to the implants, making them even stronger than a normal tooth. Once the implants have been allowed to heal, replacement teeth can be secured to your implants.

While it is clear that dental implants can be beneficial in improving the function of your mouth, they have also been shown to benefit the existing bone of the jaw. Dental implants can actually prevent further bone loss.

Types of Artificial Teeth Available

When it comes to dental implants, crowns are usually chosen to replace a single tooth, and each prosthetic will attach to a singular implant. In other cases, a bridge may be used to replace multiple teeth, and it may require several implants to provide adequate support.

Full arch prosthetics could be used to replace all teeth in the lower or upper jaw. With this type of restoration, the total number of the implants used will depend on how much bone is available and other factors. An overdenture may be able to attach to a bar, while a fixed prosthetic will be permanent and can only be removed by your dentist.

Dental Implant Candidates

If you are interested in dental implants, it is important to first see if you are a candidate. An evaluation with Dr. Iasella is essential, and you may need to have a special radiograph taken to further examine your condition. We'll help evaluate your unique, individual situation and explain your options.

OFFICE LOCATION

Yakima Valley Periodontics
John M. Iasella, D.D.S.
(509) 452-7115
410 S. 12th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902

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