Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are synthetic structures made of porcelain or titanium. They serve as replacement tooth roots and support oral prosthetics like crowns, fixed bridges, or implant-supported dentures.

Dr. Hernandez anchors dental implants to your jawbone during surgery. Following your operation, your bone grows around each implant, fusing them to your jaw. This prevents the implants from slipping, making it easier to bite, chew, and speak.

What are some advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants provide several advantages over traditional dentures, including:

• Improved speech
• Easier eating
• Increased self-esteem
• Durability
• Convenience

Dental implants can also improve your appearance. If you’re missing some or all of your permanent teeth, it causes the skin around your mouth to wrinkle and sag. Dental implants restore the structure to your jaw, which makes you appear younger. 

Do I qualify for dental implants?

Dental implants are safe and usually well-tolerated, but they aren’t for everyone. If you have gum disease or low bone volume, Dr. Hernandez might recommend periodontal treatment or a bone graft before moving forward with treatment.

Additionally, if you’re living with a chronic health problem like diabetes or high blood pressure, let Dr. Hernandez know. These conditions won’t necessarily prevent you from getting dental implants, but they may increase your risk of complications following surgery.

What is the process of getting dental implants?

Getting dental implants usually takes six to 12 months and a series of several appointments. This might seem like a long time, but by practicing good oral hygiene, dental implants can last a lifetime. 

At your initial consultation, Dr. Hernandez conducts an oral exam, asks about your goals for treatment, and takes digital X-rays to observe your jaw and tooth roots. After gathering this information, he develops a custom care plan.

If your gums are healthy and your jaw has plenty of bone to support implants, Dr. Hernandez administers a local anesthetic and carefully places a series of metal posts into small incisions in your gums. After surgery, you return home for three to four months while your mouth heals.

Following the healing process, you return to Heritage Dental. At your second appointment, Dr. Hernandez takes digital impressions of your gums and existing teeth. He sends these impressions to a lab that manufactures your crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.

Several weeks later, you visit Heritage Dental for your third and final appointment. Dr. Hernandez carefully attaches your crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures to your implants, restoring your smile to its healthy, near-original condition.

To explore dental implants as a treatment option, schedule an appointment at Heritage Dental. Call the office and speak with a friendly team member or book a consultation online today.