Your teeth are tremendous personal assets. After all, if you experience tooth loss, you lose both the oral health benefits and self-confidence of a great smile. Fortunately, here at Dunkling and Penney Dentistry in both Burlington and Jericho, VT, your dentists, Dr. Paul Dunkling and Dr. Greg Penney, restore patients' smiles with dental implants. Most healthy people qualify for these amazing tooth replacements—here are the details:
Dental implants resemble real teeth
How can that be true? Well, the implants placed by our offices in Burlington and Jericho reside right in the jaw bone. Composed of a titanium root, metal abutment, and porcelain crown, an implant looks, feels, and acts just like the tooth you lost, except that it won't decay, fall out, or otherwise fail.
Implant success largely depends on two things:
- As the patient, you must have enough healthy bone in your jaw to accept the implant device. (Your dentist will determine this with a special 3D scan of your facial structure.)
- Once inserted, the dental implant fuses with the bone through a natural process known as osseointegration. This healing process takes a few months to form a stable, nearly unbreakable, bond.
The procedure is simple
Dr. Dunkling or Dr. Penney numbs the implant site, opens the gums and inserts the implant into the jaw. Almost right away, osseointegration begins. Implants are shaped like cylinders with specially textured surfaces. This shape, along with the biocompatible nature of titanium, practically guarantees a solid bond.
After a few months, you return to Dunkling and Penney Dentistry for attachment of your extension post and beautiful porcelain crown. That's it: your implant is ready for normal use!
Implant care is simple, too
Registered Dental Hygienist recommends twice-daily brushing with a low-abrasion toothpaste. Once-daily flossing with wide dental floss and/or a water flosser removes debris at implant margins and between teeth.
In addition, avoid:
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- Smoking and smokeless tobacco
- Alcohol in excess as this damages gum tissue
Of course, you should also see your dentist semi-annually for a routine check-up and professional cleaning.
No more smile gaps
If you see extractions in your future or are currently dealing with tooth loss, please contact Dunkling and Penney Dentistry for an implant consultation. For our Burlington office, phone us at (802) 863-3479. For the Jericho location, call (802) 899-3973.