Dental Implants in North Little Rock, AR
A missing tooth can be a problem for sure. That gap in your mouth can cause problems ranging from trouble eating and biting to gradually shifting your remaining teeth. Many people also experience feelings of self-consciousness when they’re missing a tooth, and sometimes, those feelings can leave people not wanting to smile or show their teeth.
If this describes you, then you could benefit from a prosthetic tooth like a dental implant. Dental implants in North Little Rock, AR, are one of the most popular types of prosthetic teeth available because dental implants closely mimic natural teeth in design and functionality. Installing a dental implant can restore your smile and can make eating and talking much easier.
Wondering if you’re a good candidate for dental implants? Want to know more about how dental implants work and what they look like? The professionals at Mounts Dental Care can help. We offer dental implant installation services for patients who are missing one or more teeth and would like to restore their smile with something that is as close to natural teeth as possible.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth installed in the jaw, similar to how a natural tooth is attached to the jaw at the roots. To insert an implant into the mouth, a hole is drilled into the jaw, and the post is installed. The implant is then given time to heal before an abutment is placed on it. Finally, a crown is placed on the abutment.
Once the implant is in place and the jaw has healed, it is fused with the bone so that it shouldn’t come out. This makes your dental implant strong and sturdy, much like your natural teeth. Dental implants are also designed to look like your natural teeth, with a shape and color similar to your real teeth’ appearance.
Once the implant is in place and the area is healed, you can eat the same foods you’ve always enjoyed. Your dental implants will be maintained much like your normal teeth, requiring you to brush twice daily. Your dentist will also show you how to keep food out of the cracks around your teeth to help you maintain good oral hygiene overall.
Why Get Dental Implants?
If you’re missing a tooth or more than one tooth, there are many reasons to get dental implants. For example:
- Restore your smile. Some people feel self-conscious about the gap in their teeth created when a permanent tooth is lost. Installing a dental implant can help restore your smile and make your mouth look whole again. This is very important for some people as feelings of self-consciousness can impact their personal and professional relationships.
- Restore functionality to your teeth. A missing tooth can make chewing and talking more difficult. Installing a dental implant can restore the functionality you enjoyed when you had all your natural teeth.
- Keep your existing teeth in place. Teeth can shift over time; when a tooth is missing, other teeth may shift slightly to fill the hole. This can cause problems relating to your bite and jaw alignment. This may even lead to discomfort and conditions like TMJ.
Nothing compares to the feeling you get when you feel good about your smile. Work with your dentist in North Little Rock, AR, to learn more about the benefits of dental implants.
How Do Dental Implants Compare to Other Prosthetic Teeth?
Dental implants function in a very natural way and are similar to the teeth you were born with. This is very different from other types of prosthetic teeth, which can be worn (like dentures) or attached to the surrounding teeth (dental bridges). If you’re missing a tooth and want to install a prosthetic tooth similar to your other teeth, then a dental implant may be right for you.
Interested in other options for prosthetic teeth? Here are some choices to consider:
- Dentures. Dentures may be a good choice if you’re missing several teeth. You may also be interested in implant-supported dentures, which are dentures that are attached to implants so they’ll never slip.
- Dental bridge. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth held in place with crowns that attach to the other teeth on either side of the gap in your mouth. Dental bridges look very natural but require healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Your dentist can tell you if you’re a good candidate for a dental bridge.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
To be a good candidate for dental implants, you’ll need a healthy jaw with the correct characteristics – good volume and proper density. You’ll also need to have good oral hygiene. Your dentist can tell you whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants by evaluating your dental health and taking X-rays.
If you’ve had periodontal disease, your jaw bone may have been impacted. If you don’t have enough jaw bone to hold a dental implant, your dentist may recommend a bone graft to prepare the area for a dental implant. The graft adds extra time for an additional procedure and additional healing time.
How Long Does It Take To Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are not installed over the course of one or even two appointments. Installing dental implants can take up to five visits to the dentist and may take up to one year from start to completion.
This is because the implants are installed in stages, and the body must heal in between stages. If you’re not interested in going through a long process, your dentist can recommend another procedure, like dental bridges, to fill the gap in your mouth.
Why Choose Mounts Dental Care for Dental Implants?
As your dentist in North Little Rock, AR, the professionals at Mounts Dental Care are proud to be the dentist of choice for dental implants. We have state-of-the-art, modern facilities to make your visits comfortable and quick. We also treat all of our patients with the best care available to ensure that their experience at our dental office is positive.
We want you to feel good about getting dental implants from start to finish. To be sure that your experience is positive overall, we’ve done everything we can to ensure that your visits to our office will be streamlined and efficient.
Need Dental Implants In North Little Rock? Call Today
At Mounts Dental Care, we offer dental implant services for patients seeking to fill the gap in their mouth with an attractive, natural-looking tooth. We’re your source for good dental care. If you’re missing a tooth and would like to explore dental implants for your mouth, call today to make an appointment for an evaluation. We’d love to help you get started.
Not sure if dental implants are right for you? We can review the options to ensure you’ll have the best experience restoring your smile.
