Dental implants are beautiful, functional replacements for missing or damaged teeth. They promote excellent oral health while restoring an attractive appearance.

If you have teeth that need replacement, you may want to know whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Following are some guidelines as to which patients are eligible for the procedure:

• One or more missing or damaged teeth
• Healthy enough for oral surgery
• Non-smoker or willing to permanently quit since smoking interferes with healing
• Generally good oral health with no untreated tooth decay or gum disease
• Sufficient jaw bone mass to support an implant or successful graft procedure to replace lost bone volume

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are today's most advanced type of tooth replacement. They look and feel very much like healthy, natural teeth.

Dental implants are available in several types. The most common type is the single-tooth dental implant. You can also receive implant-supported bridges and dentures if you are missing more than a handful of teeth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Fully functional for chewing and speaking
• Require no more care than healthy natural teeth
• Attractive
• Better oral health
• Prevents other teeth from moving

The Dental Implant Procedure

The first step is visiting us to discuss your needs. We can answer your concerns about the process and let you know what to expect.

We will take images of your oral anatomy to determine whether you have enough bone mass to proceed with the implant surgery or whether you will need a grafting procedure beforehand. A bone graft typically takes several months to grow to the point where implant placement can happen.

Dental implant surgery sounds intimidating, but it is generally well-tolerated. The dentist will surgically place the implant in steps over a few months.

Dental implant posts replace the tooth's natural roots. Made from biocompatible titanium, they bond with the jaw bone to provide a solid anchor for your implant restoration. To place the post, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum and creates an opening in the jaw bone to insert the post. The post will heal and bond with the jaw bone to fully replace the lost natural root.

The next step is placing the abutment on top of the post. The abutment is the connection point between the implant and the post. After the surgical site heals, you can receive your final restoration.

Alternatively, you can receive a mini dental implant that eliminates some steps. The dentist can place a mini implant in areas with lower bone mass.

Call Queen's Crown Dental

Dental implants can reshape your smile and improve your quality of life. If you are interested in receiving implants, please call our Honolulu, HI, office at  808-526-2800 . We will schedule a dental implant consultation to review your needs and expectations and let you know whether you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Dental implants are artificial teeth that dentists may recommend to patients in need of long-lasting, durable replacements for missing teeth. If you’ve lost any teeth, this is a treatment option your dentist might consider.

Be sure to ask questions about dental implants if you’re reluctant to take the advice of your dentist and proceed with treatment. Some patients who could benefit from this treatment option fail to take advantage of it because they’ve fallen prey to certain misconceptions about dental implants. Common examples include the following:

Myth 1: The Dental Implant Procedure is Painful

Even if a patient understands the potential benefits of dental implants, they might still hesitate to move forward with treatment because they fear the process of receiving dental implants will cause significant discomfort or pain.

Dentists understand these concerns. If you’re worried about pain during any stage of treatment, discuss these worries with your dentist. They will help you better understand what steps both you and they can take to minimize your discomfort.

That said, according to a study published in the International Journal of Dentistry, when patients do experience pain during the dental implant treatment process, their discomfort tends to be quite mild. Some patients barely experience any noticeable discomfort.

Myth 2: The Dental Implant Procedure Takes a Long Time

The process of receiving implants can take several months. Exactly how long treatment will take can vary depending on several factors, such as whether bone grafting is necessary to strengthen a jawbone, how long it takes for a patient to heal after surgery, etc.

Perhaps you’re not sure you want to receive dental implants because you don’t want to dedicate this much time to an ongoing treatment process. Although a few months can seem like a long time, it’s smart to consider how long dental implants can last when deciding whether the treatment timeline is too lengthy.

Research indicates the majority of dental implants remain in good condition for 15 years or more with proper care. Thus, while receiving implants may involve a lengthier treatment process than other options, when you account for the potential lifespan of a dental implant, you may feel differently about the treatment timeline.

Myth 3: Dental Implants Are Inconvenient

Those who take issue with the length of the dental implant procedure may also believe that dental implant treatment is inconvenient. Because it involves more steps than, for example, receiving bridges or dentures, they may conclude dental implant treatment is too complex.

However, this myth fails to account for what happens after treatment is complete. A dental implant typically lasts longer and is more durable than a bridge. As such, patients don’t need to worry about replacing dental implants as soon as they might have to replace bridges or similar options.

Caring for an implant is also much easier than caring for dentures. Once a patient has received a dental implant, caring for it is as easy and convenient as staying on top of basic dental hygiene.

Myth 4: Dental Implants Only Offer Cosmetic Benefits

A dental implant can restore a patient’s smile. Your confidence will likely increase when you no longer feel self-conscious about a missing tooth. You probably already understand this.

What some patients don’t realize is that dental implants do more than simply improve their appearance. A dental implant is a durable replacement tooth that functions like a real tooth. Dental implants allow patients with missing teeth to speak and chew more easily than they otherwise might, and can even guard against health issues that can result from missing teeth, such as shifting teeth and jawbone deterioration.

Your Dentist Can Debunk Dental Implant Myths

The above are just some of the most common myths regarding dental implants. The more you understand the truth about dental implants, the more you may appreciate the advantages of this treatment option. If you have any additional questions about implants, feel free to bring them up with your dentist. They’ll address any misconceptions you might have heard.

Learn More About Dental Implants in Honolulu

At Queen’s Crown Dental, in Honolulu, Hawaii, our experts can thoroughly explain why dental implants may or may not be ideal for you. Call us at 808-526-2800 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.

Whether you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, there’s a solution available that will improve your appearance and provide you with overall better oral health.

This solution is known as dental implants. Implants do much more than replace missing teeth; they also help maintain bone structure and the health of neighboring teeth.

Are you a good candidate for dental implants? This article gives an in-depth look at what dental implants are, their benefits, and much more.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small, artificial screws made of titanium or a titanium alloy that are surgically placed in the jawbone to serve as the roots of missing teeth.

Once the implants are in place, they’re used to support a variety of dental prostheses, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, which are custom-made to match the appearance of the patient’s natural teeth.

Dental implants are a permanent and effective way to replace missing teeth and restore the function and appearance of the smile. There are several advantages to dental implants, including:

• Being a permanent solution for missing teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, which can be removed or need to be replaced over time, dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution.
• Looking and functioning like natural teeth. Dental implants are designed to blend with a person’s natural teeth, and they allow a person to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
• Helping preserve the jawbone. When a person loses a tooth, the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth begins to deteriorate. Dental implants help prevent this by providing the stimulation the jawbone needs to maintain its density and strength.
• Being durable and long-lasting. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants often last for many years – sometimes even a lifetime!

Overall, dental implants offer a number of benefits for people who are missing one or more teeth. They help restore the function and appearance of your smile, and they provide a long-term solution for tooth loss.

Who Qualifies for Dental Implants?

In general, a good candidate for dental implants is someone who has good overall oral health and sufficient bone density in the jaw to support the implant.

Other factors that affect a person’s candidacy for dental implants include their overall health, lifestyle habits (such as smoking), and the specific location and condition of the missing tooth or teeth.

It’s important for you to consult with a dentist or oral surgeon to determine if dental implants are a good option for you.

Learn More About Dental Implants at Queen’s Crown Dental

If you have a single tooth or more missing or they are too damaged to save, it’s time to talk to our experts about dental implants. Whether you need to replace one, multiple, or all of your teeth, implants provide a replacement option for most patients. 

At Queen’s Crown Dental, we can help determine if you’re a qualified candidate for dental implants and find the best solution for your situation. Contact us at 808-526-2800 to book an appointment today.