With a 98% success rate, dental implants are the most effective and reliable tooth replacement method available. Dr Gross’s wife has dental implants, and if Dr. Gross himself ever loses a tooth, he will get a dental implant without question.
The strength and durability of dental implants comes from the fact that they are directly fused to your jawbone, acting as a new tooth root. Using dental implants, we can restore your teeth using individual dental crowns, or create implant-supported dentures and partials.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants come with many advantages over other tooth replacement methods, including:
- Longevity – With proper care, dental implants can last for decades. In fact, some patients never need to replace their implants.
- Prevention of bone loss – Once your jaw accepts the implant as a new tooth root, the process of resorption (bone loss) will halt, helping you maintain the shape and structure of your jaw, as well as preventing future tooth loss.
- Fully-functional – Dental implants are just as strong as a real tooth, allowing you to eat and chew normally again.
- Appearance – Your dental crown will be carefully crafted to match the color, shape, and appearance of your surrounding teeth, blending seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
The Dental Implant Process
Hilton Head Island dentist Dr. Timothy Gross works closely with an oral surgeon in our area to ensure the dental implant placement process is as smooth as possible. After the oral surgeon places your implant roots, you will be fitted with a temporary crown while the titanium root fuses to your jawbone. This fusion process, called osseointegration, usually takes around six months to complete. After osseointegration, Dr. Gross will remove the temporary restoration and fit you with a permanent, custom-made dental crown.
In order to successfully place dental implants, you must have enough bone density at the site of your missing tooth to support the implant. If you do not, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary to supplement the area with extra bone. During your initial consultation, Dr. Gross can answer any questions about dental implants that you may have and help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure.
If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, please contact Dr. Timothy Gross today schedule an initial consultation. We serve patients in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas of South Carolina.