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Dental Implants services offered in Toledo, OH
If you’re missing one or more teeth, and wish to increase your chewing ability, and improve your appearance, speech, and self-esteem, then dental implants may be right for you. At Tomase Dental Care in Toledo, Ohio, board-certified family and general dentist Timothy Tomase, DDS, performs implant dentistry for patients with missing teeth. Call Tomase Dental Care or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots made of titanium materials. These thin screws require a surgical placement to restore your tooth function. Once placed in your jaw, dental implants connect to prosthetic teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Implants stabilize your replacement teeth, so they look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Popular benefits of dental implants include:
Restores full tooth function
Dentures rest on top of your gums, which makes chewing difficult. Since dental implants bond with your jawbone, they restore your ability to chew comfortably.
Improve speech
When dentures shift on your gums, they increase your saliva production. Many people with dentures experience slurred speech or lisps as a result. Dental implants allow you to speak as you normally would.
Prevents bone loss
Tooth roots maintain your bone health. Without a root, the bone in your jaw breaks down. Bone loss leaves your remaining teeth vulnerable to shifting and loosening. Since your jawbone helps maintain your natural face shape, bone resorption can even lead to sagging skin and premature aging.
Maintains oral health
Unlike removable dentures, dental implants require no special care. You can brush and floss as you normally do to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Dental implants are long-lasting restorations that can last for up to 25 years or more. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
What is the dental implant process like?
Placing dental implants takes weeks of planning. Along with a comprehensive dental exam, teeth cleaning, and X-rays, Dr. Tomase may recommend cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to detect bone loss.
Healthy bone in your jaw is essential to stabilize dental implants. If you don’t have enough jawbone, you may need a bone graft before surgery. The recovery time can take up to three months.
When you arrive for implant surgery, Dr. Tomase administers anesthesia and creates an access hole in your gums. Next, he carefully inserts the implant and sutures the incision. Over the next 6-12 weeks, your bone heals around the implant to secure it in place. This process, called osseointegration, allows dental implants to function exactly like natural tooth roots.
When your mouth fully heals, Dr. Tomase takes impressions of your mouth to create your custom-made replacement teeth. He connects your prosthetic teeth at your final visit to restore the appearance and function of your teeth.
To learn more about dental implants, call Tomase Dental Care or schedule an appointment online today.