If you’ve lost a tooth or two chances are, you might be a good candidate for a dental implant procedure. A dental implant procedure is a small surgery that can replace your missing teeth. But what exactly is a dental implant, you ask? A dental implant is an oral prosthetic used as a surrogate to your missing tooth.

At Advanced Periodontics and Dental Implant Center of Connecticut located in Monroe, Connecticut, Dr. Richard Amato offers dental implants as a solution to permanently replace your missing tooth.

Dental implants are arguably the most sought-after form of teeth replacement and have many advantages over dentures. Dental implants are great since they eliminate the need to remove them to clean like traditional dentures. Implants also help you to look younger by promoting growth in your jaw if you’ve suffered the effects of bone loss. It can also improve your dental hygiene.

The Procedure

The actual dental implant procedure is quite simple.

When you undergo a dental implant procedure a small titanium post is surgically inserted into your jawbone. This is done by Dr. Amato making an incision along the gumline big enough to drill a small hole into the jawbone. The post is then placed into the newly created hole in the jawbone. The Implant post is left to fuse with the jawbone this can take anywhere from six weeks to six months depending on how fast your body heals.

A temporary tooth is then placed over the post after your initial procedure. Once your jaw has healed sufficiently a permanent crown tooth will be fitted. This usually happens about four to six weeks afterward.

Ideal Candidates

Like all surgeries, there are a few prerequisites to consider before determining if dental implants are right for you.

• A CT scan and x-rays will be necessary to see if you can have the dental implant procedure.
• Any type of gum disease will need to have been treated before the procedure is carried out.
• You should eliminate smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol. Both habits will hinder the healing process.
• If you grind your teeth at night you may need some type of splint to stop this.
• Anyone who is immuno-compromised should not have this procedure done.

Contact for more information

So, are you an ideal candidate for surgical dental implants? Visit us at Advanced Periodontics and Dental Implant Center of Connecticut in Monroe, Connecticut to speak with Dr. Amato to see if you are an ideal candidate to receive dental implants.