For those who may have a few missing teeth and are ready to restore their smile, few treatments compare to dental implants. They’re often considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement and a proven way to bring that brilliance back to your smile. But they’re also popular because they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
At Erik’s Dental Group in Boynton Beach, we believe that understanding your treatment helps you feel more confident and comfortable during each step of the process. We’ll help you learn what dental implants are, how they work, and why they’re a fantastic, long-term smile restoration option in modern dentistry.
What Are Dental Implants?
While many people visualize the finished product of dental implants (crown and all), a dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root. It’s made from titanium or a similar biocompatible material and placed directly into your jawbone where a natural tooth used to be. After this implant heals, it’s then capped with a crown or other dental device.
A complete dental implant actually has three main parts:
- The implant post, which takes over as the root of your new tooth
- The abutment, which is how the implant post connects to your crown
- The crown, which is the custom-made, tooth-colored cap that looks like your natural teeth
Together, these components mimic your natural tooth’s structure and result in a dental replacement that feels strong, stable, and permanent.
How Dental Implants Work
The magic behind dental implants is a process called osseointegration. It’s what happens when your implants are placed in your jawbone, and the bone heals around them, fusing the anchor firmly.
The implants we use at Erik’s Dental Group are medical-grade titanium or zirconium, which have a special ability to integrate with living bone tissue without causing rejection or irritation. Over a period of several months, your jawbone heals around the implant, and at this point, it’s often stronger than the original tooth root it replaced.
Implants are a fantastic dental solution for one or multiple missing teeth, even a whole smile’s worth if needed. There are a few different options for what to connect the implants to help you reach your full smile potential.
The Dental Implant Process
Our team wants to make sure your dental implant experience is as comfortable as possible and to focus on creating a personalized, transparent experience.
First, we’ll start with an initial consultation at our Boynton Beach dentist office. This includes a comprehensive dental exam and some imaging to assess your jawbone structure and overall oral health. This will help our team determine if dental implants are the best solution for you and allow us to plan the most precise placement possible.
Once you’re ready, we’ll schedule another appointment to place the implant(s) and set you up with a temporary set of teeth, often the same day as your procedure. After your implants and jaw have healed, we’ll attach any abutments needed and then secure your crown, denture, or bridge. We’ll make sure your bite alignment, tooth shape, and tooth color are comfortable and natural for a beautiful and strong smile.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer a few unique advantages over bridges and dentures. First, they protect your jawbone. When a tooth is lost, your jawbone begins to resorb, or shrink, over time. Dental implants are the most prominent tooth replacement option that stimulates bone and prevents bone loss, which preserves your facial structure.
Implants also feel the most natural. They’re anchored directly into your jaw and feel incredibly stable. There’s no shifting, suction, or slipping with implants. You can chew, talk normally, and smile without worrying about a denture or bridge coming loose.
The lifespan of dental implants is often 20 or more years, and they are the most natural-looking. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, there’s no reason your implants shouldn’t last the rest of your life.
Types of Dental Implants at Erik’s Dental Group
We offer dental implant systems to create the best smile outcome for each of our patients.
Our options include:
- Single tooth implants
- Multi-teeth implants
- Non-removable implant dentures
- All-on-4 implants
- Hybrid prosthesis
You and your smile are incredibly unique, which is why we offer a range of dental implant options to suit your goals and comfort level. We are proud to offer an efficient implant process that reduces your overall time in the office and creates a low-stress experience on your implant journey.
Who is Not a Candidate for Dental Implants?
This is where our consultation dental appointments are very important. Not every patient we treat is a candidate for dental implants. Your general and oral health are our priority, and we’re committed to finding the best solution for each of our patients.
We may discuss alternative smile restoration options if:
- You lack the bone structure necessary to provide good support for implants.
- You have active periodontal or gum disease.
- You have advanced osteoporosis.
- You have an autoimmune condition associated with a higher risk of implant failure.
What Does Recovery Feel Like?
After your implant placement, you may experience tenderness and swelling for a few days, similar to what you would after a tooth extraction. Most of our patients return to their normal activities within 24-48 hours.
We provide detailed aftercare instructions, and it’s crucial to follow them carefully to ensure your implants heal properly. These instructions will include how to keep the area clean, what to eat during healing, and any signs of less-than-stellar healing.
Create Your Best Smile with Dental Impants From Erik’s Dental Group
Dental implants are a beautiful example of how science and artistry come together to change patients’ lives. They provide a strong, reliable smile foundation that lasts decades, is comfortable, and feels as natural as possible.
Our Boynton Beach dental team combines advanced dental technology and techniques with a warm, patient-centered approach. From your very first consultation to your final implant crown placement, our goal is to make your dental implant journey smooth and stress-free. A combination of experience and a commitment to comfort-focused dentistry creates a healing, supportive environment where you can reach your full smile potential.
If you or a loved one is considering dental implants or smile restoration procedures, give our office a call at 561-733-4004 or contact us online. We’ll walk you through every question and look forward to helping you restore your brightest smile.