At K&E Advanced Dentistry, our dental team is committed to providing the best possible care for patients in and around the community of Franklin, Ohio. Our professionals are excited to offer an array of choices for patients who are looking to replace missing teeth—or even just a single tooth. The most popular tooth replacement option requested by our patients is the dental implant. This involves a procedure for the placement of a metal post and the restoration of the post afterwards.

Understanding the dental implant

Dental implants are great for replacing one tooth or several teeth. These restorations are used by the team at K&E Advanced Dentistry because of their many benefits. The dental implant itself is a titanium post that is biocompatible with the body. During an oral surgery procedure, the dentist will place the implant precisely in the bone of the jaw where the missing tooth once was. It may be restored over the top with a temporary crown while the area heals. The healing process can take several months, during which the bone of the jaw wraps around the implant. This holds it firmly in place so it can function at its best. After the bone has grown and the process of osseointegration is complete, patients then have the temporary restoration replaced with a permanent one. Implants are best restored using a dental crown when replacing a single tooth, while these restorations may also be used in conjunction with bridges and dentures to replace more than one.

Why choose a dental implant?

There are many reasons why patients choose dental implants for their smile. Below are just a few of the more common advantages to dental implants when compared with alternative treatments:

• Longevity, permanent when properly cared for
• Natural appearance
• Versatility, replacing one or more teeth
• Smart investment into the smile’s beauty and function
• Stronger function than dentures or bridges
• Maintenance of the natural jawbone

Who is a candidate for the dental implant?

Tooth implants are not for everyone. During an evaluation with our team, patients may have a series of x-rays completed to determine if there is sufficient bone to ensure a successful procedure. Patients who have experienced bone loss through bone resorption may want to reconsider alternative treatments such as bridges or dentures. Otherwise, an additional procedure called bone grafting may be recommended to build up the jawbone and prepare it for the placement of a dental implant in the future.

Find out if you are a good candidate for a dental implant

If you are looking for a solution for replacing a single missing tooth and live in the community of Franklin, OH, our dentists at K&E Advanced Dentistry encourage you to learn more about dental implant procedures. Drs. Everhart, Kori, Jamshidi, Nadia, and Newell are all available for new and current patients and families considering their tooth replacement options. Call (855) 912-7677 to request a consultation visit at our practice to be evaluated for this or alternative solutions for missing teeth.