What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that get inserted directly into the jawbone for use as an anchor for a new artificial tooth that gets emplaced over it. These implants actually fuse with the jawbone over a period of several months, so as to provide a rock-solid foundation for any tooth which then gets installed. The implants themselves will usually last a lifetime, although the artificial tooth may eventually have to be replaced due to the normal wear and tear of biting and chewing.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

They are some of the most successful procedures in all of dentistry, being completely successful in 98% of all cases. That means you can pretty much count on everything going according to plan when you embark on having a dental implant installed.

What you can expect

  • Consultation with a Dentist – When you consult with us at Matthew Dental Group in Smithtown, NY, we’ll first determine whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. If so, we’ll ask about your dental history and your general health history, because these can both have an impact on your care and post-procedure treatment.
  • When bone grafting is required – Some patients lack sufficient jawbone to have an implant installed, but this doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from having an implant installed. In many cases, bone grafting can be performed to build up the jawbone so it is healthy and robust enough to receive the titanium implant.
  • Placing the dental implant – During the procedure, your dentist will have to make a cut into your gum so as to expose the jawbone. Then it will be necessary to drill small holes into the bone where the titanium posts will be inserted. Given the fact that the implant is actually taking the place of a tooth root, it has to be drilled fairly deep into the jawbone.
  • Waiting for bone growth – It will take several months for osseointegration to take place. This is the process wherein the titanium post will fuse with the jawbone and become part of it. While you’re waiting for that to happen, your dentist may provide you with a temporary denture that can be used in the interim.
  • After the procedure – You may experience some level of pain and swelling after the surgery, but this can generally be managed with over-the-counter medications and painkillers. While the surgical site is healing, it will be advisable for you to eat soft foods that don’t disturb the implant site.

Contact Mathew Dental Group in Smithtown, NY for an Appointment

If you’ve been thinking about having a dental implant installed, we are the clinic you should contact to make it happen. Dr. Mathew Bilu is a dental implant expert, so you can count on your procedure being a resounding success. Once the implant is in place and you have a new artificial tooth emplaced over it, you’ll be able to eat and speak normally, and you’ll regain all your former self-confidence, because you’ll have your old smile back.