August is Dental Implant Month

Dental implants are an ideal treatment if you have missing teeth. In fact, they’re the closest thing you can get to a natural, healthy smile, restoring your ability to eat, smile, talk, laugh, and play with confidence. The CDC says more than 120 million Americans are missing one or more teeth, and 36 million Americans are missing all of their teeth.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) designates August as Dental Implant Month. This is a time to spread awareness of what dental implants are and how they can improve your quality of life.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are placed through several small procedures performed in the dentist’s chair, with the entire process taking between three and nine months, according to the Mayo Clinic. You may need a dental implant if your existing tooth was traumatized or falls victim to decay. If you don’t remove the tooth, it will eventually turn brown and fall out on its own. This can lead to other oral health problems, including infection.

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide your mouth and jaw with a healthy foundation, allowing fixed or removable replacement teeth to be added. Customized just for you, there are many advantages to dental implants.

Implants can:

• Improve your appearance and give you a healthy, even smile
• Improve speech
• Boost comfort level
• Make it easier to eat
• Improve your self-confidence
• Allow for more thorough and effective brushing and flossing
• Increase durability
• Be more convenient

What Can You Expect?

The first step is to have a consultation with your dentist. He or she will provide you with an oral exam and will go over your options. Here’s a look at the process. If you decide a dental implant is for you, your dentist will:

• Remove the tooth that has suffered damage
• Prepare your jawbone so the implant can be properly supported
• Insert the dental implant in the gum
• Follow up in six months after the jawbone unifies with the surface
• Insert an abutment, which is an extension of the implant post and is what the crown will fasten to a few weeks later

Celebrate Dental Implant Month this August by doing something for yourself. You deserve it!

Contact Studio City Dental Center

To learn more about our process for dental implants, feel free to request an appointment or call us at 818-762-2977.