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At Driftwood Dental our Smithers dentists may place a dental implant as part of the process to replace a missing tooth and leave you with a natural-looking smile.
Dental implants are small titanium screws that function like natural tooth roots. They can be used to replace an individual lost tooth or many missing teeth.
The implant is surgically placed into your jaw bone and then bonds with your natural bone to serve as an anchor for a tooth replacement.
Dental implants can be used to help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, resolve bite issues or jaw joint pain, and restore facial tissues and appearance.
When a tooth is missing, the teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift out of place and cause misalignment issues. The jaw bone around the area can also begin to deteriorate, resulting in facial collapse or negatively impacting your ability to eat and talk.
The dental implant procedure at Driftwood Dental requires a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
Your dentist will begin by surgically placing the implant into your jaw bone below the gum tissue. As your tissue heals, the implant will bond with your bone and attach to your gum.
Once the healing is complete, generally 3 to 6 months post-surgery, you will return to our office to complete the procedure.
At this final appointment, your dentist will attach a tooth replacement, such as a dental crown, bridge or denture, to the implant to create the look and function of a natural tooth.
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Driftwood Dental.
If you care for your implant properly, they can last a lifetime. This includes proper brushing and flossing at home, as well as attending regular hygiene cleanings and exams at your dental office.
The longevity of a dental implant may also depend on other factors including nutrition, genetics, or the development of any dental diseases.
You should care for a dental implant just like you care for your natural teeth.
Visiting your dentist for regular hygiene appointments and maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home can help prevent decay or diseases from developing in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can negatively affect your dental implants.
During dental implant surgery, your dentist will administer anesthesia to make you comfortable so you won't feel any pain during the procedure.
Following the procedure, there is not usually much discomfort. Most patients can manage any pain with an over-the-counter pain medication for a few days after the procedure.
You will also need to eat a soft diet for the first couple of weeks after the implant procedure to avoid any pain or irritation.
The entire dental implant procedure usually takes about two to nine months to complete, depending on your treatment plan.
Your dentist can provide you with a more specific timeline based on your particular case.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of dental implants, while some will only pay for a portion of the cost, and others won't pay for any part of it.
To determine what part, if any, of your dental implant treatment will be covered by your insurance, check with your insurance provider.
Looking for a dentist in Smithers? We're happily accepting new patients at our dental clinic! Contact us to get started.