Your Choice for Dental Implants in Bennettsville, SC

A missing tooth (or teeth) can ruin an otherwise beautiful smile. Not to mention, it greatly harms your oral health. If you are in need of a tooth replacement option after losing a tooth, visit Dentistry on Broad for a skilled team that can provide you with dental implants in Bennettsville, SC.

 

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the most modern, ideal form of replacing a missing tooth. Not only are implants aesthetically pleasing, they are also the most secure way to completely restore the function of your bite and teeth.

 

Dental Implants vs Dentures

Implant dentistry is a step above traditional tooth replacement options, such as dentures, when it come to the appearance, longevity, and function of your smile. Here are some of the most notable ways that dental implants differ from dentures:

Dentures

• Sit on top of gumline
• Are secured by adhesive creams
• Last 5 to 7 years
• Are removable
• Require additional care and upkeep
• Do not stop jawbone from deteriorating
• Do not restore the strength of your bite

 

Dental implants

• Are implanted into the jawbone
• Are secured by process of “osseointegration”, the process where the implant fuses with your jawbone
• Can last for life
• Are permanently implanted in jaw, cannot be removed once fused
• Do not require additional upkeep- just normal oral hygiene habits
• Stimulate jawbone growth to prevent “sunken in” look
• Fully restore the strength of your bite

 

Who is a Candidate for Implant Dentistry?

While this state-of-the-art procedure is the most effective way to replace a tooth, not everyone is actually able to undergo the process of implant dentistry. Patients who have issues with the following factors may not be candidates for dental implants:

• Unhealthy teeth or gums
• Smoking tobacco
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Alcoholism
• Other diseases

 

If you are interested in implant dentistry but are not sure if you are a candidate, feel free to visit us or call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dudley Beaty. During this consultation, Dr. Beaty will review your medical and dental history and perform an oral exam to determine if this procedure is right for you.

 

 

 

The Dental Implant Process

When patients are interested in receiving dental implants to replace a missing tooth, there are several steps involved. The implant dentistry process is much longer than any other tooth replacement option because of its invasive nature.

Here are the steps that a patient must typically take before restoring their smile with implants:

• First, the patient must undergo a consultation with Dr. Beaty to ensure that they are healthy and can undergo the procedure safely.
• Once the patient is cleared for the treatment, they will come into our office and have the implant placed into the jawbone. The implant is a screw-shaped titanium device that is biocompatible. It is designed to fuse and become one entity with the jawbone during a process called osseointegration. This takes anywhere from 6 weeks to several months.
• Once osseointegration is complete, Dr. Beaty will create a small incision in the gums to expose the very tip of the implant. Once exposed, he will attach a tiny device called an “abutment” to the top of the implant. The abutment will serve as the attachment site for your dental crown (prosthetic, replacement tooth).
• Dr. Beaty will create a customized dental crown that matches the surrounding teeth in size, color, and appearance. This dental crown will then be attached to the abutment as the last step.

 

Caring for Dental Implants

Once your smile has been restored with implant dentistry, it is important to note that just because the new tooth is artificial, it is not immune to disease and decay. Remember to always brush and floss the tooth just like you would a normal tooth. Be sure to use a non-abrasive toothpaste in order to keep the crown well-polished and devoid of scratches.

Also, avoid unhealthy habits such as chewing on ice or sticky, hard foods. This can cause the crown to crack or even dislodge. While the implant itself is permanent and will last for life, the dental crown on top of the implant is vulnerable to wear and tear which may result in future upkeep and dental work. However, if you take great care of your smile, the dental crown can last for many, many years.

For more information on implant dentistry in Bennettsville, SC with Dr. Beaty, visit our office or call us today at (843) 479-0305 to schedule your consultation. We are always excited to meet new patients and providing the healthiest, most beautiful smile of your life! For information on our other dental services, such as cosmetic dentistry or dentistry for younger patients, click here.