When it comes to deciding the best option for replacing your missing tooth or teeth, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to help you determine what will give you back the smile you want. Our dentist Dr. Jintae Park has been helping countless adults living in Reno, NV, get full smiles once again with the help of dental implants. Are dental implants right for you?

Here are some factors to consider when getting dental implants,

An implant is a small metal post that replaces tooth roots. In order to replace the roots, our Reno, NV, restorative dentist will need to place the implant in the jawbone. It can take as little as 30 minutes to place an implant and this minor procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

The Implant Process Takes Time

You won’t get your full implant right away. The implant is made up of three different parts: the metal post (which is placed into the jawbone), an abutment (which connects the implant with the false tooth) and the artificial tooth (usually a dental crown). Once the implant is performed we will need to give your gums and jawbone time to heal. It can take up to 6 months for the bone and implant to fully fuse together. Once that happens then we can place the abutment and finally the crown. It can take up to several months to get a dental implant.

You’ll Need to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

In order to preserve your oral health and properly maintain your dental implant you will need to brush twice a day, floss daily and keep up with seeing your dentist every six months for cleanings and care. Maintaining a dental implant is no harder than keeping the rest of your natural teeth clean and it won’t require special care; however, you will need to be dedicated to keeping your teeth and gums clean to prevent infection or other issues that could affect the health of your implant.

You Must Have a Healthy Jawbone

There also needs to be enough strong, healthy jawbone present to support the implant. If you’ve left tooth loss untreated for a while then you may have significant bone loss. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t an ideal candidate for implants. You may just need to first undergo bone grafting, a minor surgical procedure that helps rebuild the jawbone so that it can support an implant.

JP Dental Care in Reno, NV, is dedicated to restoring your smile and boosting your confidence. If you are ready to sit down with us and discuss your tooth replacement options then call our office today for a consultation.