Missing a tooth can do more than impact the look of your smile; it also causes discomfort while chewing, as well as dental shifting and misalignment. Fortunately, dentists can provide a prosthetic solution, known as dental implants, to restore your smile and prevent these oral health risks. If you’re curious about this treatment and the benefits it offers, here are a few questions patients typically have about them.

What to Know About Dental Implants

How durable are dental implants?

Implants are strong enough to support normal biting and chewing. To care for the implant, simply brush and floss it like a normal tooth—with proper care, these devices can last a lifetime. To prevent accidental chipping, you should avoid chewing or biting on hard objects, like pen caps, popcorn seeds, and nutshells.

Do implants look like natural teeth?

The prosthetic is custom-shaped and -colored to fit naturally within your smile. While you may know the prosthetic is there, others won’t be able to tell it’s artificial.

Can anyone get implants?

People with insufficient jawbone material may not qualify for the procedure. Without enough underlying bone, the titanium post won’t fuse properly. Sometimes, a dentist can restore the tissue by performing a bone graft. If grafting isn’t an option, they’ll typically recommend alternative solutions, such as dentures or bridges.

What does the treatment process involve?

Dental implantation is a routine process that can be completed with minimal discomfort, thanks to general anesthesia. During the first treatment, your dentist will carefully insert a small titanium post into the gums where the original tooth was positioned.

Over several weeks, the site will heal, and the titanium post will fuse together with the underlying jawbone to create a secure hold. Once healed, your dentist will fix a custom prosthetic tooth over the post.

If you’re curious about what dental implants can do for the look and health of your smile, contact Kathleen Kujiraoka, DDS, in Kaneohe, HI. This experienced dentist and her team will guide you through every step of the process, so you can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free smile restoration. If you aren’t a candidate for implants, they’ll introduce you to other high-quality solutions for missing teeth, like dentures. Get more information about their services by going online or calling (808) 235-2121.