A great smile makes a memorable first impression, but you may not feel much like smiling if you have a missing permanent tooth. That's why Dr. Amish Patel of Atchison Family Dentistry in Atchison, Kansas offers dental implants to his patients who are ready to restore the look and function of their smiles.
How do dental implants work?
The post of the dental implant, which is made from a lightweight metal called titanium, is placed in the spot where your permanent tooth's roots once were. This is a brief dental surgical procedure that is performed in your Atchison dentist's office. The healing process is a simple one, as most of the mending takes place below the gum line. The jawbone grows around the post over a period of three to six months, cementing it into place just like a natural tooth's roots. After that, Dr. Patel will attach the abutment to the top of the implant, which will connect the crown to the post. The crown will be the only part of the implant you'll actually see, and it looks just like a natural tooth since it's made from expertly crafted porcelain.
How can dental implants help me?
The crown of your dental implants is realistic and will be practically indistinguishable from a natural tooth. With a full set of healthy teeth on display, you'll have a renewed sense of confidence to smile and talk. You'll also be protecting your remaining natural teeth by keeping them stable. When there are gaps from missing teeth, the others begin to shift out of place. This can cause alignment problems and further loss. But dental implants do such a great job of replicating a real tooth, the other teeth stay in place.
As you can see, dental implants have the unique ability to enhance both your health and your appearance. To schedule your dental implant consultation with Dr. Patel, contact Atchison Family Dentistry in Atchison, Kansas for an appointment today.