Smile restoration is an investment of time and money. For someone suffering from tooth loss or decay, dental implants can be life-changing. The process, however, is somewhat invasive and occurs over several months, so having a compassionate dental office is important. In the Coralville, IA area, Coral West Dental is ready to provide you with the highest quality of dental implant services to make the process as seamless as possible.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the current standard of care for missing teeth. Through a series of procedures, the dentist places posts and permanent crowns into the gums, giving the patient teeth that look and feel like their natural teeth. When cared for properly, dental implants can last for the duration of the person’s life, making them an optimum choice for many. The process to install dental implants can take several months since the mouth needs to heal in between procedures. Overall, however, many find the results superior to dentures and prefer the easier maintenance and reliability.

What You Can Expect

Before you begin the dental implant process, you will schedule a consultation with your dentist. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the procedure. During this time, the dentist will also determine if you are a good candidate for implants.

The next step is to remove any problematic teeth to make way for the implants. Throughout the process, your dentist will provide temporary teeth to use in the meantime.

The oral surgeon will then place the posts in your gums. These fuse with your jawbone to create a strong foundation for the implants. It may take several months for the posts to heal enough to proceed. 

Once the posts are ready, the dentists places an abutment that serves as the connection point between the posts and crowns. Your gums will also need time to heal after this procedure. 

Finally, your dentist will place the permanent crowns to unveil your final result. Once this is done, the implants just require normal cleaning and maintenance like the natural teeth. 

Choosing a Dentist

Because the process takes several months, it’s important to have a dentist that you trust and makes you feel comfortable throughout the procedures. There’s a few things you should take into consideration when choosing a dentist:

• Ask family and friends about the practice’s reputation and read reviews for first-hand accounts from people who have visited the practice. This can give you a good idea of the quality of care.

• A calm office and welcoming, friendly staff can help alleviate any nerves and lay the groundwork for a pleasant appointment.

• Check the American Dental Association (ADA) to find a dentist certified in dental implants.

• Schedule a consultation with the dentist to assess if the practice is a good fit for you. During this visit, you can ask any questions and discuss your options before moving forward in the process.

 Coral West Dental is a leader among dental implant services in Coralville, IA. Our team is ready to walk you through the implant process from beginning to end. Give us a call today to determine your options.