Dental Implants
At River Bluff Dental, we understand that the loss of a tooth can be socially embarrassing. More importantly, having an empty space in your smile can lead to:
- Speech problems
- Difficulty chewing
- Jaw bone erosion
- Bite misalignment
- Jaw joint pain
In the past, people who found themselves in this situation were faced with the options of full or partial dentures or dental bridges. Today, there is a superior option in dental implants. Experienced cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Walter Palmer offers patients his exceptional skills in this procedure.
Dental implants provide a permanent, stable and durable solution to tooth loss by acting as artificial tooth roots with an artificial tooth on top. Unlike dental bridges, dental implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support. Dental implants “stand alone” and blend naturally with the rest of your teeth.
How Dental Implants Work
After a thorough examination of your jaw bone, gum tissue and tooth spacing, Dr Palmer will determine whether a dental implant is viable. . If all systems are go, A titanium screw is placed into the jaw bone. Sufficient time is allowed for the implant to fuse with the jaw bone to form an extremely strong and durable base for the artificial tooth to be attached. This fusing process may take up to six months, but it is a critical step to ensure the dental implant’s success.
Dental implants have an abutment or post that rises above the gum line on which the artificial tooth can be securely attached. Additional time may be required to surgically attach this post and allow for sufficient healing.
When the dental implant is fully inserted and healed, the new tooth can be attached. The artificial tooth will be custom made to match your existing teeth and blend flawlessly, making it difficult for other people to know you ever had a missing tooth.
Patients should expect the entire dental implant process to take six to 12 months to complete. This can take longer if there are any complications.
If you have a gap in your smile and would like to learn more about dental implants, please contact Minneapolis, Minnesota implant dentist Dr. Walter Palmer at River Bluff Dental today to arrange a special time to discuss your options.
