How Dental Implants Restore Your Smile and Confidence

Do you have one or more missing teeth? Unfortunately, this common issue impacts more than just your appearance. Even a small gap in your smile can make eating and speaking more difficult, cause neighboring teeth to shift, and lead to jawbone loss over time. For patients looking for a solution, dental implants are widely considered the gold standard in restorative dentistry. 

At Coyne Oral Surgery in Franklin, TN, our team helps patients replace missing teeth with a long-lasting option that looks great and supports their overall oral health. Call today to discover the benefits of implants and schedule a consultation. 

What are dental implants? 

First, what are dental implants? An implant is a small metal or titanium post that is placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a tooth. Once the post fuses with the bone over the following several months through a process called osseointegration, a custom crown is attached on top to complete the restoration. The outcome is a tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like the real thing. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are standalone restorations that don't rely on neighboring teeth for support. 

How missing teeth affect your oral health 

Most people understand that missing teeth affect their smile, but the impact goes deeper than that. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it no longer receives the stimulation it needs to stay healthy, and it begins to shrink over time. This can change the shape of your face, weaken the surrounding teeth, and make future restorative dentistry procedures more complicated. Addressing missing teeth sooner rather than later gives you the best chance possible of preserving your jawbone health and avoiding those consequences. 

What the dental implant procedure involves 

The dental implant procedure is typically completed over several months to allow for proper healing at each stage. It begins with placing the titanium post into the jawbone, after which a healing period follows to allow the implant to integrate with the bone. Once that process is complete, an abutment and custom crown are attached to finish the restoration. Our team at Coyne Oral Surgery will walk you through each stage of the procedure and ensure you know what to expect along the way. 

Are dental implants right for you? 

Most adults in good general health who are dealing with missing teeth are strong candidates for dental implants. Some of the qualities our team looks for include:  

• Sufficient jawbone health to support the implant 
• Healthy gums free of active infection or disease 
• Good general health with no conditions that could interfere with healing 
• A commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene long-term 

Patients who have experienced some bone loss may require a graft before the procedure can move forward, and we will let you know if that applies to your situation. During a consultation at Coyne Oral Surgery in Franklin, TN, we will evaluate your oral health, review your imaging, and help you determine whether implants are the right fit for you. 

Take the first step toward a complete smile 

Missing teeth do not have to affect your long-term oral health. If you have questions such as, "What are dental implants?" or "Am I a candidate for the dental implant procedure?", our team is ready to help. At Coyne Oral Surgery in Franklin, TN, we are committed to helping patients restore their smile, their confidence, and their jawbone health through personalized restorative dentistry solutions. Call today to schedule your consultation.