New Patients (843) 371-5480

Current Patients (843) 571-7951

811 St. Andrews Blvd, Ste B Charleston, SC 29407

How Can Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth?

Do you feel self-conscious because you’re missing teeth? Learn why a dental implant may be the best bet to restore your smile. The team at West Ashley Family Dentistry in Charleston SC wants to explain why more and more patients and dentists prefer this tooth replacement option.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

A dental implant offers people with missing teeth a permanent solution to the gap in their smile. A dental implant is simply a tiny post embedded in the jaw onto which a dental crown is affixed. The crown restores the appearance and full use of your teeth, resembling a natural tooth. Dental implants are often endorsed by both dentists and satisfied patients because they look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. And while their upfront cost may be more than other options, their many advantages make them well worth the extra cost.

A Convenient and Comfortable Procedure

While living with missing teeth can be difficult and distressing, dental implant surgery is a relatively simple and comfortable procedure. The surgery is minimally invasive and leaves little to no post-procedure discomfort. For most patients, the placement process is very simple. In more complex cases, it can take several months until the implants are able to finally be placed. However, thanks to advances in dental medicine, same day dental implants are becoming more common for more cases.

To begin the process, you’ll need a dental examination. If you have a sufficient amount of healthy jawbone, you can have the procedure completed at any time. If not, you will strengthen the bone with grafts of healthy bone tissue, which can increase the cost of dental implants. While the cost may be slightly higher than other tooth replacement options, they don’t require the regular replacement or cause the later dental health problems that those other options do which will save you money in the long run.

Once the it is implanted into the jawbone, the implant will fuse to the bone over the next few months, which will ensure that it is stable and secure. Once it’s fully healed, you will again have a complete smile that looks, acts, and feels just like your natural teeth.

How to Care For and Clean Dental Implants

Dental implants are extremely easy to care for, especially when compared to other options like dentures. In fact, their care is exactly the same as taking care of your natural teeth. Simply follow these basic oral health guidelines:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily
  • Floss daily
  • Seek treatment for any tooth grinding or clenching habit you may have
  • Get regular professional check-ups and cleanings

To get the dental care you deserve from a team of compassionate and skilled dentists in the Charleston SC area, contact West Ashley Family Dentistry at (843) 371-5480 or schedule an appointment online today!