So you’re missing one tooth or many teeth – perhaps even all of your teeth – and you somehow have stumbled upon these wonderful dental prosthetic that restore your entire tooth. This restorative solution offering a vast array of benefits is called dental implants. While the idea of completing your smile and enjoying incredible stability probably sounds like a dream come true, you may wonder if you make a good candidate. We would like to reassure you that we will assist you in restoring your smile no matter what – even if it requires exploring alternative solutions. However, if it’s implants you’re after, you may have a better understanding of whether this treatment is for you by considering the following requirements:
Requirement #1: You Have A Strong Jawbone
We will need to surgically place the implants into your jawbone for long-term wear and stability, which means you need a healthy, dense jawbone. We will thoroughly examine your oral health with the assistance of advanced imaging to determine whether your jawbone can support implants. For patients who require improved jaw health but who desire implants, bone grafting is often an option.
Requirement #2: You Wish To Restore Your Entire Tooth
Many patients feel completely satisfied restoring the visible portion of their tooth only without giving a second though to replacing missing roots. If you desire dental implants, you should recognize that they restore your roots and the part of your tooth that rests above your gumline. While this affords you many benefits, you may also be able to restore the function and health of your smile with other treatments that require a lower initial investment.
Requirement #3: You Have Time for the Process
Unlike dentures, which we may be able to provide you within a very brief period of time, restoring your smile with dental implants takes time. This is because after surgery, your implant will need approximately four months to bond to your tooth tissue. Then, once the fusing occurs, we may restore the implant with a visible tooth prosthetic, such as a dental crown.
ABOUT YOUR FUQUAY VARINA DENTIST:
For over 15 years, Dr. Michele Collier and the talented professionals at Waterstone Family Dentistry have provided comfortable, compassionate dental care to patients of all ages from Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as Holly Springs, Angier, Willow Springs, Raleigh, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to learn more, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Collier by calling (919) 557-5250 today.