It was not all that many years ago when anyone that lost one or more teeth due to decay or accident had only two options; a bridge or a denture. Today there is a third option, a dental implant.
Your natural teeth are designed to last your entire life, some people are very fortunate and do keep their teeth through their whole life while many others loose one or more for a host of reasons. Any dentist in Chicago knows the importance of teeth to overall health. When a tooth is lost it can have a negative impact on your ability to chew properly, speak properly as well your appearance and self esteem.
Today, the obvious choice for tooth replacement is a dental implant; dental implants have been in constant use for over 50 years and have been proven to be the most effective treatment choice, far more so than a bridge or denture.
Many dentists, including general dentist, are qualified to undertake implant procedures based on in depth training and plenty of experience.
* What actually is a dental implant?
It is actually quite simple; a dental implant is a replacement tooth root. The implant, once it binds to the jaw bone is a perfect anchor for a crown or as an anchor for dentures.
* Who is a good candidate for implants?
Implants are an ideal choice for people of all ages that have lost one or more permanent teeth. There are certain qualifications that must be met; your dentist in Chicago will determine if implants are suitable for you once he or she has evaluated your dental history and current dental and general health.
* Is the process lengthy?
Each situation differs, only your dentist can answer this question. Generally the implant will take in six to nine months but for those that have had a bone graft it will take considerably longer.
Your first resource for implants is your general dentist in Chicago. Depending on the level of training and experience, the dentist may perform the procedure or refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist.
In many cases a qualified dentist in Chicago is capable of performing implant dentistry. You are welcome to discuss the procedure, timing and cost with Dental Specialists of South Loop & North Shore.
