Placing and Restoring Traditional Dental Implants

For patients who are missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer the very best restorative option available. Traditional dental implants are titanium screws that are embedded in the jawbone and attached to a restoration. They can provide support to a dental crown, bridge, or denture to replace the entire structure of a tooth. Implants are the only restorative treatment available that replaces the tooth's root, in addition to its crown. This provides constant stimulation to the jaw, which protects against the bone loss that results from missing teeth. Many of our patients have questions about which type of implant is best-suited to their needs. Our doctors are happy to answer any questions related to immediate-load, mini, or traditional dental implants placed at our Montgomery-area oral surgery offices. If you have missing teeth and would like to learn more about this excellent restorative option, please contact our practice to make an appointment with one of our doctors.

Traditional implant screws are about 4-5 mm in diameter, as opposed to mini dental implant screws which are less than 3 mm in diameter. Because of their smaller size, mini dental implants are better suited to replacing a single missing tooth in a small gap, such as a canine or incisor, or to support a denture. Traditional dental implants are typically recommended to restore a larger tooth, like a molar, or to secure a dental bridge. Both types of implants provide the necessary strength to support a restoration, but traditional implants have more surface area, allowing them to sustain a greater chewing force and remain more stable over time.

Because they are made from titanium, dental implants are extremely durable. With proper care, implants can last much longer than other restorative options - even a lifetime. Because implants are the only restorative method that replaces the entire structure of the tooth, in addition to restoring function and aesthetics, they offer the unique benefit of protecting against future deterioration of the jawbone. When people experience tooth loss, the surrounding bone typically resorbs. This process occurs because the jaw is no longer receiving stimulation from the tooth's root during chewing and eating. Dental implants provide ongoing stimulation, which maintains a strong, dense, and healthy jawbone. 

Traditional dental implants require several months to integrate with the jawbone before a restoration can be attached. When you come in to have your dental implant placed, your surgeon will insert the titanium screw into your jawbone underneath your gums. You will then be given four to six months of healing time for the implant to fuse with the bone. This process, called osseointegration, ensures that the implant is held firmly in place and allows for a successful restorative procedure. 

If you are missing teeth and would like to restore the appearance and function of your smile, please contact our office to schedule a dental implant consultation. Our doctors will be happy to answer any questions concerning the different types of implants available, as well as evaluate your candidacy.