If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, dental implants offer a permanent, durable alternative to removable bridges and dentures. Made of strong, pure titanium, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw. Our doctors then fix an artificial tooth onto the implant, allowing you to regain the full function and feel of the missing tooth. These implants can be used to support a single crown, a bridge, or a full set of dentures, restoring ease to chewing and speaking. The end result looks and feels so natural that you may not be able to distinguish the implants from your original teeth.

Dental implants offer a number of practical advantages over bridges and traditional dentures. Unlike bridges, they do not rely on surrounding natural teeth for support, which helps to maintain the integrity of your existing teeth. And unlike traditional dentures, they are completely stable and secure, allowing you to speak and eat with comfort and absolute confidence. In addition, they require no special maintenance. As long as you maintain a sensible oral hygiene routine and schedule regular dental exams, your implants should last a lifetime.

If you are in generally good health, you are most likely a suitable candidate for dental implants. Unlike many of our procedures, however, dental implant surgery is a relatively lengthy process, requiring between three months and a year from beginning to end. If immediate results are your primary goal, dental implants are probably not the best option for you. However, if you are able to devote the necessary time to the process, dental implants provide the most secure and aesthetically pleasing solution to missing teeth currently available. Since you will be fitted with temporary dentures during the process, the inconvenience to you will be minimal.

At present, dental implant surgery has one of the highest rates of success of any dental procedure. Your body cannot reject dental implants as it can organ implants. The procedure is extremely safe and effective, and patient discomfort is usually minimal.

If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth and would like more information about dental implants, please contact Simpsonville Dental Associates today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff would be happy to assist you in any way we can.