Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. As they heal, dental implants fuse with surrounding bone and provide a solid foundation for replacement teeth. Replacement teeth can take the form of dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. All these dental prostheses are carefully fabricated to match the size, shape, and color of the surrounding teeth so that no one will be able to notice the difference between them and your natural teeth.
Did You Know?
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option available that actually provides stimulation to the jawbone. This constant stimulation from chewing is essential for the maintenance of healthy bone mass in the jaw. Without it, the jawbone will slowly deteriorate.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth in need of replacement. People who also need to have one or more teeth extracted due to severe damage, decay, and/or gum disease may also be candidates for dental implants. In order to successfully have dental implants placed, however, you will need to have enough jawbone present to support the placement of an implant. For this reason, only an experienced dentist can determine if you are an ideal candidate. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Guirguis today to find out if dental implants are right for you.
What can I expect when having dental implants placed by Dr. Guirguis?
Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, therefore you can expect to be properly sedated and anesthetized during the procedure. Dr. Guirguis will begin by making a small incision in your gums to reach the underlying bone. He will then drill into the bone to make room for the implant screw. The implant screw will be placed in the jaw and attached to a small metal connector piece known as an abutment. The procedure will conclude with the gums being sutured up around the abutment. In most cases, a temporary dental restoration will also be placed to maintain an aesthetic appearance until the implant heals and a permanent restoration can be placed.
Will I need to follow any special guidelines after having dental implants placed?
Yes. In fact, the success of your implants is highly dependent on your adherence to these guidelines. Before your procedure, Dr. Guirguis will discuss these guidelines with you in detail to make sure that you will be able to follow them. Generally speaking, you can expect to make temporary dietary adjustments, keep the surgical site clean, take prescribed medications, avoid smoking, practice good oral hygiene, and attend regular dental checkups. In most cases, it will take approximately 3-6 months for your implant to fuse with the surrounding bone.
