Cosmetic Dentistry Articles from
Kansas City Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Alberto Castaneda

Implants Therapy
Alberto Castaneda, DDS

Implants are comfortable, attractive and will help you regain confidence in your smile. They are an alternative to bridges, partials or dentures. Implants look and feel like natural teeth. An implant basically is an artificial root that anchors to your jaw bone. Titanium (the material we use for the artificial root) isn't recognized by the body's immune system, so it is not rejected as an implant. It integrates with the jawbone to give a firm support to the artificial replacement that it will support.

Ideal candidates for dental implants should be in good health, have healthy gums, good oral habits for the aftercare and healthy jawbone to support the implants.

Implant placement does require several steps over a period of time ranging from 3 months to over 1 year depending on your specific needs. Here are the steps followed for implant therapy

1. The implant is inserted into the jawbone and allowed to heal
several months

2. A post is attached to the implant and a mold is taken for
fabrication of a permanent crown

3. A permanent tooth (crown) is attached after all healing is
complete.

Implants can be an important part of creating the best functional and cosmetic results for patients. Unlike a bridge you can floss in between the implant crown much like a natural tooth.

More articles from Dr. Castaneda