Are You a Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

Are You a Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

You want the best tooth replacement available. Well, dentists all over the US and across the globe agree that dental implants efficiently and beautifully replace missing teeth as well as build up the jaw bone for superior function and longevity. At Elliff Dental in Batavia, IL, your dentists, Drs. Andrew and Laura Elliff, place many of these prosthetic teeth, both singly and to support bridges and dentures. Read below to find out if you're a good candidate for implants.

The typical dental implant

Really, it's not so typical. In fact, dental implants are miraculous because they improve jaw bone quality through osseointegration.

When Dr. Elliff inserts a titanium implant device into a patient's jaw, the bone immediately begins to adhere to it. Over ensuing weeks, the integration increases, forming a rock-solid bond that anchors the extension post and porcelain crown, completing the prosthetic tooth.

Afterward, the dental implant is ready to use. It looks, feels, and bites as a natural tooth does, and patients say they almost forget they have implants in place.

The dental implant patient

This could be you! If you have lost a tooth—or multiple teeth—to accident, gum disease, or decay, you may qualify for one or more of these amazing tooth replacements. During a consultation at Elliff Dental in Batavia, IL, your dentist will look at your teeth and gums and take special three-dimensional scans to determine the state of your oral health and the density of your jaw bone as both are required for successful implant placement and retention.

If Dr. Elliff determines that you qualify, expect your implant treatment to take several weeks. After initial placement of the titanium screw or cylinder, osseointegration proceeds rapidly but must be complete before the dentist adds on the metal alloy post and crown. At this time, the implant site can withstand biting, chewing, and the general wear and tear which all teeth experience.

Additionally, you should continue your good oral hygiene habits, carefully brushing your implant twice a day and flossing daily to eliminate plaque and tartar. Smoking cessation keeps implant sites healthy, too, as it aids in avoiding peri-implantitis, a condition resembling advanced gum disease and one of the only factors which can threaten implant retention.

Find out more

According to the American Dental Association, dentists in the US successfully place more than 5 million implants each and every year. Are you interested in this innovative tooth replacement? Call Elliff Dental's Batavia practice today for your personalized consultation with our professional and caring team. We have office hours Monday through Friday and look forward to seeing you soon.