| What is a dental implant? | | | | your jawbone should grow safely and effectively |
| A dental implant is the strongest, most durable option if | | | | around. However, certain factors can prevent this |
| you have lost one or more teeth. During this procedure, | | | | integration, such as misalignment, existing diseases |
| a small, titanium peg will be implanted into your jaw | | | | improper force on the implant. If your implant "fails," you |
| bone, and your surrounding tissue and bone will | | | | can wait for your mouth to heal and undergo the |
| naturally grow around it, holding the implant in place | | | | implant procedure a second time. |
| (called osseointegration). This peg acts as your tooth's | | | | What can prevent me from being an implant |
| natural root from which a dental crown or other | | | | candidate? |
| restoration can be attached. | | | | While most people can undergo dental implant surgery, |
| What are factors that might cause my tooth to fall out | | | | the procedure is not for everyone. If you have |
| or require removal? | | | | uncontrolled diabetes or are undergoing chemotherapy |
| There are a number of reasons that you may lose a | | | | or radiation therapy, you may not be a good implant |
| tooth, including: | | | | candidate. If you have diseases such as parathyroid |
| • Advanced periodontitis (gum disease) | | | | disorders, blood disorders or certain bone disorders, |
| • An accident or trauma | | | | these can also prohibit you from undergoing this |
| • Severe tooth decay | | | | procedure. Physical characters that may disqualify you |
| • Excessive wear and tear | | | | as a candidate include low sinuses, poor bone quality |
| • Failed root canal | | | | or low nerve bundles. If you do not have sufficient |
| • Congenital defects | | | | jawbone to hold the implant in place, you can undergo |
| How long does dental implant surgery take? | | | | a bone grafting procedure and can still qualify for a |
| Dental implant surgery generally takes between four | | | | dental implant. |
| and nine months to fully complete. This advanced | | | | What factors contribute to the long-term success of |
| surgical procedure is lengthy because there are two | | | | dental implants? |
| steps involved. The first step is the placement of the | | | | When properly cared for, your dental implant can last |
| implant. Then you must wait several months so that | | | | decades or even your entire life. The long-term |
| your jaw bone grows around the implant, and holds it in | | | | success of your restoration will first depend on the |
| place (called osseointegration). Then a restoration will | | | | quality and quantity of your jawbone. The more bone |
| be permanently secured to the end of the implant. You | | | | you have and the better the quality of that bone, the |
| will be given temporary teeth, so you will never be | | | | longer your dental implant will last. The skill and |
| without teeth during the months between surgeries. | | | | expertise of your dental surgeon will also play a large |
| Is there a chance of rejection if my jawbone does not | | | | role in the longevity of your dental implant.The quality of |
| grow around the implant? | | | | the restoration attached to the implant, whether it's a |
| This is rare, but possible. Though your body will not | | | | dental crown or bridge, will also make a difference. A |
| directly reject a dental implant like it would a heart of | | | | restoration that is placed poorly or unevenly will |
| kidney, it may fail to effectively integrate with your | | | | negatively impact the lifetime of your implant. |
| jawbone. Dental implants are made of titanium, which | | | | |