Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small, metal rods used to replace missing teeth. They provide a firm foundation for dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.

Instead of relying on your healthy, existing abutment teeth for support, they’re placed directly into your jaw during a quick outpatient procedure. Following implant placement, your bone extends around each post, anchoring them firmly in place.

In addition to restoring your smile, dental implants preserve your oral health, lowering your risk of bone loss, atrophy, and gum disease.

Who can benefit from dental implants?

Anyone who is missing their permanent teeth can benefit from dental implants. However, to receive implants, you need healthy gums and plenty of jawbone. If you have low bone volume or gum disease, the team might recommend a bone graft or periodontal treatment before moving forward.

During your initial consultation, let the team know if you’re living with a chronic illness like diabetes or high blood pressure. These conditions won’t necessarily keep you from getting dental implants, but they may increase your risk of complications, including implant failure. 

What are the types of dental implants?

At Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi, the team offers several types of dental implants from renowned brands like Nobel Biocare® and Zimmer Biomet®. 

Single implants

If you’re missing a single tooth, consider a single implant. A single implant is a metal post that supports a crown or fixed bridge. With good oral hygiene, single implants can last a lifetime.

All-on-4® implants

If you’re missing all of your teeth, consider All-on-4 implants. All-on-4 implants can replace an entire arch of teeth (upper or lower) with just four metal posts. This allows for less pain, quicker recovery times, and a lower risk of complications. 

What does getting dental implants involve?

Getting dental implants typically takes several appointments spaced two or three months apart.

If the team at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi determines that you’re a good candidate for dental implants, they administer a local anesthetic and place the titanium posts into your jaw using guided surgery techniques. 

Several months later, after your mouth recovers, you return to the office. The team takes a series of impressions and sends them to a dental laboratory that manufactures your crowns, bridge, or implant-supported dentures. About a week later, the team attaches your restorations to your implants, restoring your smile to a fully functioning condition.

To further explore dental implants, request a consultation at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi. Book an appointment online, or call the office to speak with a caring member of the administrative staff today.