Text us at 206-202-9276 to connect directly with our office staff.Dental Implants: The Ultimate Guide for Wasilla
Dental Patients
This is your In-depth guide to dental implants in 2023.
If you’re looking to:
- Understand implants and what they are
- Understand the benefits associated with them
- Know what to expect during the implant procedure
- See if implants are right for you
Then this is the guide for you.
Let’s jump in!
Welcome to the Dental Implants Guide
At Meridian Dental, we’re committed to high-quality dental care and patient education. That’s why we’ve compiled need-to-know dental implant information to create the ultimate guide for Wasilla dental patients.
We’ve been getting more questions about dental implants as they increase in popularity. We’re here to answer your questions and explain exactly what you can expect from dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are surgically-inserted artificial teeth. They are one of the most comfortable and long-lasting solutions for people who are missing teeth.
Implants consist of a metal post (usually made of titanium), an abutment, and a crown. The metal post is inserted into your jawbone to mimic the root of a tooth, and the abutment and crown are mounted on top of the post.
Dental implant crowns are designed to match the appearance of your natural teeth. We can customize their color, shape, and size to make them perfect for you.
The Benefits of Implants
Implants are one of the longest-lasting tooth replacement options. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. Compared to dentures, bridges, and crowns, they are more comfortable and have a more natural appearance.
The titanium rod of your implant has health benefits, too. By mimicking the natural root of a tooth, it stimulates your jawbone and prevents bone loss. People who are missing many teeth struggle with jawbone deterioration, and implants are a proven way to maintain jaw health.
Because implants look natural and don’t need to be removed like dentures, they provide patients with a sense of normalcy. They’re a great way to regain confidence in your smile and fight against feelings of insecurity and shame that sometimes come with tooth loss.
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The Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect
No ultimate guide for Wasilla dental patients would be complete without discussion of the implant procedure itself. When you come into our office for implants, we’ll start by doing an initial exam.
After your exam, we’ll schedule your surgery. This consists of making an incision in your gum, inserting the titanium post into your jawbone, and suturing your gum.
After giving your new implant about ninety days to heal, you can come back to our office to have your abutment and crown attached.
We use local anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable for you. It’s normal to experience some soreness after surgery, but this is manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
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Are Dental Implants Right For You?
The best candidates for dental implant surgery are people who are missing a single tooth. That’s because implants work best when they are replacing one tooth (as opposed to dentures or bridges, for example, which are good for people who are missing many teeth).
Implants are an investment in your oral health and wellness. As such, they can be expensive. Anyone considering dental implants should talk to our team about insurance coverage and payment options.