Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Dental Implants in Columbia SCAre you tired of being self-conscious about your missing teeth? Have you been told your only way to a healthy confident smile is a set of dentures? Read on to discover why a dental implant may be the best option to restore your smile and you may decide to join the many patients you have already chosen this simple path to the smile they want.

Why Dental Implants?

A dental implant offers people with missing teeth a permanent solution to fill in the gap in their smile. A dental implant begins with a tiny titanium post that is embedded in the jaw. This post helps maintain and stimulate the growth of health jawbone as it replaces the root of your tooth. Dr. Tom Trinkner will attach a dental crown to the post. The crown is a false tooth constructed from realistic-looking material that fills in the gap left by a lost tooth.

Dr. Trinkner collaborates with a laboratory that uses cutting edge technology to create a crown that will match your natural teeth in function and appearance. The implant not only restores the natural appearance of your teeth but also returns to you the full use of your teeth. Most patients that choose implants recommend them because they look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth and they never need to be removed for cleaning. And although the cost of dental implants may be more than other options, their many benefits make them worthy of the extra expense.

What’s the Procedure To Place Them Like?

The placement process for dental implants is a fairly comfortable procedure. It is minimally invasive and leaves only a little post-procedure discomfort and sometimes none at all. For most patients, the placement process is very simple, but for some complex cases, the procedure may span several months. Patients that Dr. Trinkner deems are appropriate can actually walk out the same day with a new dental implant completing their smile. Thanks to advances in dentistry, same day dental implants are becoming more common for more cases.

To see if a dental implant is the right option for you, you’ll need an evaluation from Dr. Trinkner. If you have a sufficient amount of healthy bone structure in your jaw, you can have the have the implant at any time. If not, your jawbone will need to be strengthened with bone grafts, which will unfortunately increase the cost. Once the implant is inserted into the jawbone, it will gradually fuse to the bone over the next few months, which will make it fully secure and stable. Once the implant site is fully healed, you will again have a complete smile that looks, acts, and feels just like your natural teeth.

Care and Maintenance

Dental implants are simple to care for. In fact, their maintenance is the exact same as caring for your natural teeth. Simply follow these basic oral health guidelines from Dr. Trinkner:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily, including the implant.
  • Floss between and around your natural teeth and the implant.
  • Discuss treatment for any tooth grinding or clenching habits
  • Schedule and keep regular professional check-ups and cleanings

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Columbia SC, contact Dr. Trinkner at 803-400-8729 or schedule an appointment online today!