Dental Implants

How are dental implants different from dentures?

Dental implants and dentures both replace your natural teeth, but they aren’t the same thing:

Dental implants

Dental implants are small titanium posts inserted into your tooth sockets. They integrate with your upper or lower jaw after placement and provide a foundation for crowns, bridges, or implant-retained dentures. 

Dentures

Dentures are removable oral appliances that replace some (or all) of your teeth. Dentures rest on top of your gums. You apply a special glue to the bottom to prevent them from shifting out of position.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants offer various benefits, including:

• Improved speech
• Convenience
• Comfort
• Durability
• Easier eating

Dental implants improve your oral health. They reduce the risk of gum recession and bone loss.

Can anyone get dental implants?

You need healthy gums and jaw bones to get dental implants. If you have periodontal disease or low bone volume, the Smile By the Station Dentistry team addresses those issues first.

Let your provider know if you have an underlying medical condition like heart disease or diabetes. These problems won’t keep you from getting implants, but they increase the risk of surgical complications, so it’s important the team is aware. 

Does getting dental implants take several appointments?

Getting dental implants takes at least three appointments spaced several months apart.

Implant placement

At the first appointment, your dentist numbs your mouth and inserts the implants into your empty tooth sockets. After placement, your dentist takes digital scans of your mouth and covers the metal posts with temporary restorations, like crowns or bridges.

Recovery

It takes several months for the dental implants to fuse with your upper and lower jaw. During this time, drink plenty of fluids, take your medication as prescribed, and be very gentle when biting and chewing. 

Implant restoration

A dental laboratory uses digital scans of your mouth to create custom dental restorations, like crowns or implant-retained dentures. 

Once the restorations are finished, you return to Smile By the Station Dentistry. Your provider replaces your temporary implant restorations with permanent ones. Then, they check your bite, polish your teeth, and provide care instructions.

Call Smile By the Station Dentistry today to schedule a dental implant appointment, or book your visit online.