If you’re missing a tooth or looking for a long-lasting alternative to your dentures, you’ve probably heard about dental implants—and if you haven’t, they’re often considered the gold standard of tooth replacement. With decades of research backing them, this isn’t just an exaggeration; they can provide you with a solution that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth. And more importantly, the process for getting them is now faster, safer, and more successful than ever before. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Advanced Technology Makes Things Easier
Dentistry continues to evolve, and today’s implant procedures rely on cutting-edge technology such as 3D cone beam imaging to help ensure that oral surgeons have as much information as possible about your oral anatomy. Similarly, soft tissue lasers mean less invasive procedures and improved healing times. These instruments make it possible to see your bone tissue, nerve endings, and sinus structures so that less guesswork is involved throughout the whole implant process.
2. Dental Implants Can Safely Fuse with Your Bone
Implants are made from biocompatible materials, meaning that they’re capable of safely fusing with your bone tissue. Typically, medical-grade titanium or zirconia is used, since the body readily accepts them through a process called osseointegration. The jaw tissue will actually fuse around the implants over the course of several months, allowing the posts to take on the role of your tooth roots. The result is a stable foundation that mimics your natural tooth structure, meaning it can handle all of the forces applied on a daily basis from biting and chewing.
3. The Risk of Complications Is Low
While every surgical procedure carries some risks, when it comes to oral surgeries such as dental implant placement, complications are very rare. Since so much work is gone into ensuring a patient is healthy enough to receive dental implants (no gum disease or other oral health issues), the risks of infection, an implant loosening, or delayed healing are minimal. If issues do arise, they can usually be treated effectively when addressed early. Of course, maintaining oral hygiene moving forward is a must to continue to keep the risk of complications low.
Dental implants boast success rates of over 95% in healthy patients—the numbers speak for themselves! Their reliability, safety, and ability to wholly replace missing teeth make them truly the next best thing to your natural teeth.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Mark T. Litterer and Dr. Aubrey H. Scher, our team here at Georgia Periodontics, LLC serves the needs of patients in Decatur, Peachtree, Duluth, Dunwoody, and beyond, offering a wide range of services, including dental implants placed in-house. We also offer gum grafting, sinus lifts, and other preparatory procedures. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information or to find a location near you.