What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots. Teeth replaced with implant-supported restorations consist of three parts:
1. The implant: A titanium post that looks similar to a screw placed in your jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. The implant acts as a base for your replacement tooth.
2. The abutment: This is the connector that screws onto the implant and holds your restoration in place.
3. The restoration: Implants can support a crown, bridge, or denture, allowing your replacement teeth to look, act, and feel like natural teeth.
You can get dental implants to replace one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth as long as you are in good overall health and good oral health and have enough bone tissue in your jaw to support them.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Complete Smile
If you have a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants can be the first step toward restoring your smile. The implants provide the ultimate support to dental restorations that are crafted to look just like natural teeth.
Better Durability
Dentures and bridges need to be replaced every five to ten years, but with proper care, your implants can last a lifetime.
Restored Chewing Ability
Missing teeth or traditional dentures can make it difficult to eat your favorite foods. Dental implants and restorations function together like natural teeth, allowing you to chew various foods efficiently.
Elevated Self-Esteem
If you have missing teeth, the skin around your mouth may be sunken in or you may find it embarrassing to smile. Restoring your smile can boost your self-esteem, help you feel more confident, and make you look younger.
Improved Oral Health
After tooth loss, your jaw will lose bone mass and appear sunken. Dental implants are the only restorative dentistry solution that provides the stimulation needed to prevent jaw atrophy following the loss of one or more teeth.
Improved Speech
If you use traditional dentures or have several missing teeth, you may mumble or slur your speech. Implants can improve your enunciation and help you feel confident that your teeth won't slip when you're communicating.
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DENTAL PRACTICE IN PHILADELPHIA
Elegance In Dentistry is simple and their service culture is amazing. First time getting dental work done as an adult and when I called this office their employees were so welcoming and eager to help and provide solutions. This dentist office is hands down the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with and as long as I live in Philadelphia I will be going there for all my dental needs. What you should take away from this review is that their customer service and resources turned a painful and frustrating experience into a simple solution.View On Google
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A Complete Smile Awaits You
If you have lost one or more teeth, our efficient dentists can help restore your smile with dental implants.Our comfortable practice caters to your comfort, and we offer in-house financing that can make this life-changing procedure a comfortable fit for your budget.
If you have questions or want to set up an appointment, call our Philadelphia, PA, office at (215) 883-0611 or fill out our online contact form.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Dental implants can be a good option for people committed to taking care of their oral hygiene, having healthy gums, being in good health, and having enough bone to support each implant. Non-smokers make the best candidates since nicotine affects the ability of your bones to heal, which is essential to implant success. If you use tobacco, you should be willing to quit several months before surgery and during healing and ideally drop the habit permanently.
Dental implants take a few visits to your dentist and a few months of recovery, so you should be committed to the process before proceeding.
Do Implants Hurt?
Patients usually report only mild discomfort. When your dentist places your implant, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area and maintain your comfort. Sedation is available upon request.
Patients usually report only mild discomfort. When your dentist places your implant, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area and maintain your comfort. Sedation is available upon request.
Your implant site may hurt or feel tender when you press on it, but if pain does not subside after two weeks, contact our Philadelphia office.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
Your dentist may give you temporary teeth to use until your permanent teeth are ready.
Comprehensive Dental Exam
You will first have to undergo a comprehensive dental exam at our Philadelphia office. Your dentist will take x-rays and 3D images of your teeth and jaw, review your medical history, and discuss dental implant options to assess your candidacy and help you make an informed decision.
Implant Placement
At your next appointment, your dentist will apply anesthesia and provide optional sedation before they place the implant in your jawbone at the site of your missing tooth. Finally, the gums are sutured closed to foster healing over the next three to six months.
Osseointegration
The titanium post and your bone will become fused as you heal, forming a solid foundation for your replacement teeth. This process is called osseointegration.
Abutment Placement
After osseointegration is complete, your dentist will incise the gums and place an abutment onto the implant. This will act as the base for your dental restoration. Your dentist may give you temporary teeth to use until your permanent teeth are ready.
Replacement Teeth
Once your gums heal — usually after about two weeks — your dentist will take impressions of your mouth and teeth to make your restoration. Your restorative dentistry should be ready for placement within about three weeks.
Follow-Up Exams
Your dentist will check your implants and gums at follow-up exams.How Do I Care for Dental Implants?
After your implant placement procedure, avoid chewing around the implant site and stick to eating soft foods for a few days. There are a few things you should avoid in the days following your procedure:
- Drinking hot liquids like coffee and tea
- Consuming alcohol
- Chewing things like ice or hard candy
After the healing period, you can treat your implant-supported restorations as you would normal teeth. Flossing, brushing, mouthwash, and regular dental exams can preserve them and keep your mouth healthy enough to support them. A mouthguard or night guard may be necessary if you suffer from bruxism.
How Can I Pay for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can be expensive, but they’re a good value because they can last a lifetime.
Basic dental insurance plans do not contribute to the cost of dental implants, but your medical insurance may contribute to the cost of implants depending on the cause of your tooth loss. Our friendly staff will contact your insurance providers to see what they can do.
If you need help covering the cost of this dental procedure, our Philadelphia, PA, office offers financing options to make it more affordable.
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I will forever be pleased with my services starting from the receptionist all the way to the hygienist. The employees are ALWAYS professional, warm and welcoming ♥️♥️♥️ View On Google
I cannot speak highly enough about the professionalism and curiosity displayed at Elegance. I’m very satisfied and will definitely recommend to others.View Full Review On Google