Say goodbye to those unsightly gaps between teeth when you say hello to dental implants.

It’s amazing how even just losing one permanent tooth can completely alter the look and shape of your smile. Of course, untreated tooth loss can cause a variety of complications for your smile, from shifting teeth to bone loss. Luckily, our West Columbia, SC, dentists, Dr. Peter Stoltz and Dr. Brooke Stoltz, offer one tooth loss replacement that could prevent these complications and give you back a healthy tooth.

What are dental implants?

This artificial tooth root might not look like much at first glance, but this tiny metal post is actually going to replace the roots of your missing teeth. How? Our West Columbia restorative dentist will surgically place the implant into the jawbone to allow the titanium implant to fuse together with the bone and tissue over the course of a couple months. Just like a real tooth root, the implant will provide a long-term, reliable structure from which to support an artificial tooth (e.g. dental crown).

What should I expect when I get dental implants in West Columbia, SC?

It’s important to understand that getting implants is a process. You won’t get your restoration in just a couple of visits to our office. It can sometimes take several months or more to get your new teeth, particularly if you want to replace several or all of your missing teeth. Here are the common stages of getting implants:

• Diagnosis, X-rays and treatment planning
• Surgically placing the implant
• Placing the abutment (which connects the implant with the dental crown) on top of the implant
• Securing the dental crown or restoration over the abutment

Who should consider getting dental implants?

If you want a restoration that will truly last you the rest of your life then you should strongly consider getting dental implants. No other restoration acts and functions like real teeth in the same way that implants can. Plus, implants can replace several teeth and even support full dentures.

Of course, in order to deem you an ideal candidate for treatment we need to make sure you are healthy enough. This means running a series of X-rays and talking to you about your lifestyle and habits to make sure that you are right for this restorative dentistry.

Are you ready to find out whether getting a dental implant is the best way to replace your missing tooth for life? If so, then it’s time you called Three Fountains Family Dental in West Columbia, SC, restorative dentist today.