A person suffering from tooth loss will experience many challenges. The most obvious of these challenges are difficulties when chewing and speaking clearly. When tooth loss is left untreated it can result in very serious problems like tooth shifts, jawbone deterioration, facial structure loss and bite imbalances. These issues usually develop over time when there is no root system to maintain bone health and alignment. Dental implants provide an artificial root system to maintain order and keep the remaining teeth in line.

They can not only help a patient overcome short-term challenges; they can also prevent long-term problems linked to tooth loss. They are the most effective method for treating tooth loss because dental implants serve as an artificial root system for supporting a prosthetic tooth and allow replacement teeth to feel more naturally.

The first step is having the dentist consult and visually examine the site in the mouth where the dental implant is being considered. Then the oral surgeon needs to consider if there are any current teeth that need to be extracted and which type of bone graft needs to be conducted. These procedures will take place first and the patient will be allowed a few months to heal to ensure an adequate and strong bone is present at the site of the implant.

Once this is determined, the dental implant is placed into the bone and a healing cap is placed over the implant so the healing phase can begin. This is followed by regular check-ups to ensure proper healing and not infection around the place of surgery.