Dental Implants Arlington Heights IL – Chicago Area

dental implants in Arlington Heights ILProblems Caused by Missing Teeth

Better education and increased access to modern dental care has resulted in more people than ever retaining their natural teeth for a lifetime. However, tooth loss still occurs, especially in older patients who suffer from periodontal disease or advanced decay. Replacing missing teeth is vitally important, as a gap will cause your remaining teeth to move and experience excessive wear. In addition, jawbone tissue beneath the site of a missing tooth will deteriorate over time, which can alter the shape of your face and make you look older. While removable dentures and fixed bridges are excellent options for replacing lost teeth, dental implants are a more stable and durable tooth replacement method that also provides the proper stimulation to prevent jawbone deterioration.

Dental Implants Closely Mimic Natural Teeth

Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that are inserted into the jawbone in the place of a missing tooth. These cylinders are anchored into the jawbone with only a small portion showing above the gum line, called an abutment, onto which a porcelain crown or other prosthetic is attached. Because they are securely attached to the bone, your implants remain firmly in place and feel just like natural teeth. In fact, many patients report that they cannot tell the difference between their implants and their real teeth.

Having Dental Implants Placed in Arlington Heights

Using local anesthesia (and possibly a sedative if you need more relaxation), Dr. Engelberg will make a small incision into your gums so that he can access the jawbone. He will then create an opening in the bone and insert the implant. A healing period of three to six months is required so that osseointegration, the process of the jawbone fusing around the implant, can take place. Once your implant is securely attached to the bone, you will return to Dr. Engelberg’s office so that he can place a porcelain crown or other prosthetic onto the abutment.

The Versatility of Dental Implants

While implants are excellent options for replacing a single tooth, they can also be used to anchor a bridge or set of dentures in place. Using two or more implants placed strategically in the jawbone, Dr. Engelberg can permanently attach your prosthetic in place, preserving the function and integrity of your remaining teeth and providing the security you need to speak and eat with confidence.

For exceptional restorative and cosmetic dental care including dental implants in Chicago – Arlington Heights, contact Dr. Brent Engelberg today.