At Southern Surgical Arts in Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts at restoring missing teeth with dental implants. By providing a permanent, secure foundation for your replacement teeth, dental implants allow patients to smile confidently and eat the foods they love, without worrying about inconvenient removable parts.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants are tiny posts that replace the roots of your natural teeth. These tiny posts are made of titanium — a biocompatible metal that naturally integrates with the bone beneath your gums. When teeth are lost or extracted, your surgeon can place the implants into bone beneath the gums during an outpatient procedure at our office. Replacing the root of your tooth stimulates the jaw bone, preserving your facial structure and preventing the bone loss that often occurs with missing teeth.
Once the implants are secure, and the surgical sites have healed, an abutment piece will be attached to your implants. This piece connects your implants to your permanent crowns or bridge attachment (replacement teeth). Your general dentist will customize your crowns to look just like your healthy natural teeth. Once the process is complete, you will be able to smile confidently and enjoy the foods you love. To learn more about the dental implant procedure and recovery, read our Dental Implants FAQs.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer a variety of benefits over traditional tooth replacement options, including the following:
- Replacement teeth that can last a lifetime
- No removable parts
- Restored function/ability to eat virtually any foods
- Ability to replace one or multiple teeth
- Prevent bone loss around the jaw
Living with missing teeth can be difficult, but dental implants restore both the function and appearance of your smile. Many patients find that their implants look and feel just like natural teeth, and with proper care, your implants can last a lifetime.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
If you are healthy enough to undergo a dental procedure, such as an extraction, you will likely be able to receive dental implants. In some cases, extensive bone loss around the jaw makes it impossible to place a secure implant, but your oral surgeon may be able to prepare your jaw using a bone grafting procedure. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants is to schedule a consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Your surgeon will be able to discuss your treatment options and find a plan that works for your specific situation. To learn more, give one of our offices a call.
Dental Implants in Tyler, TX, and Palestine, TX
If you are interested in dental implants, or if you’d like to learn more about treatment options for one or more missing teeth, contact Southern Surgical Arts in Tyler, TX, or Palestine, TX. Our oral surgeons have years of experience helping patients find the right treatment option for them. To schedule a consultation, give our office a call, and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you.