Looking for the finest tooth replacements? Find your best-looking and most functional smile with dental implants from Dr. James Walton and Dr. David Cardman in Tallahassee. These highly qualified dentists eliminate the embarrassment and poor oral function that missing teeth cause. Every step of the way, they lead patients through the process of installing dental implants and implant-supported appliances. Could you qualify for a great smile?
What are dental implants?
While nothing is as wonderful as natural teeth, dental implants come close. Realistic in appearance and function, dental implants reside right in the jaw bone, giving patients superior biting, chewing, and speech. Plus, implants exercise the bone, making it strong in density and size. Other prosthetics, such as fixed bridges or conventional dentures, cannot build bone the way implants do.
The evaluation process
If you have missing or failing teeth, see Dr. Walton or Dr. Cardman for an implant consultation. Most adults qualify for standard-sized implants or mini-dental implants. A comprehensive oral examination and digital X-rays will determine if you are healthy enough and have adequate bone in your jaw for implant placement. Your Tallahassee dentist will explain the process as part of your treatment plan.
Implant placement
Every step of dental implant placement happens in-office. Most patients require just simple local anesthetic to numb the area before the dentist opens the gums. He creates a small hole in the jaw bone and inserts the implant device before closing the site with sutures.
The device is made from biocompatible titanium, a natural metal which attracts and bonds to bone cells. Osseointegration, as dentists call this bonding process, takes three to six months to complete and creates a firm foundation for later placement of a metal extension post and realistic dental crown made of high-quality porcelain. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that dental implants faithfully mimic everything that a natural tooth does.
Benefits of dental implants
To you the patient, the benefits are many. The most important is a stable tooth replacement which avoids the harmful side effects of tooth loss—namely, gum and bone recession and poor smile and facial aesthetics. Plus, because implants last a lifetime, you avoid the expense of repeated replacements to your aging dentures and bridges.
Finally, dental implant patients eat, brush, floss and speak normally—no slurred speech, slipping denture,s or putting your teeth in a glass to soak at night. Dental implants look, act, and feel just like your original teeth, only they won't decay! Just be sure to brush and floss faithfully, refrain from tobacco use, and see Dr. Walton or Dr. Cardman for your six-month cleanings and check-ups.
Ready to learn more?
To see if you're a candidate for today's most advanced dental implants, please phone Dr. Walton and Dr. Cardman's Tallahassee office staff for a consultation: (850) 893-2136. We know you'll be pleased with what you learn!