What Are Dental Implants?

You may have heard the term used, but wondered to yourself – exactly what are dental implants? It’s a good question to ask, especially if you have a missing tooth that needs replacing. This blog post from East Bentleigh Dental Group will answer the question of what are dental implants and examine their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium cylinders or frames that are surgically positioned into the patient’s jawbone beneath the gums. Once the titanium cylinders have been set in place, they will fuse to the jawbone and can then have an artificial tooth inserted into them. The artificial tooth will have an abutment that will be attached to the screw shaped insert that’s placed into the dental implant.

The Pros and Cons

Now that the “what are dental implants?” question has been answered, we can explore the various pros and cons. There are a number of benefits that come with dental implants, with one of the main benefits being that they’re essentially a seamless replacement for real teeth. For some, regular dentures or dental bridges aren’t very comfortable and can be annoying to take in and out. With dental implants, there’s no need to worry about this, as you won’t even notice they’re there and the teeth can simply stay put.

The main downside is that having a dental implant inserted into your jawbone is quite an undertaking, and the surgery can require a lengthy amount of recovery time. In addition to this, to be eligible for dental implants, the patient must have healthy gums and sufficient bone to support the implants. Once they’ve been inserted, a high level of dental hygiene must also be maintained.

Enquire About Dental Implants Today

If you’re thinking about getting dental implants and you wish to learn more about them, contact the friendly and experienced team at East Bentleigh Dental Group today. We’re happy to discuss your needs and help you determine if dental implants are the right choice for you.