Dental Implants: What to Expect

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Dental implants are among the most popular oral health solutions on the market today. Resembling natural teeth, they can boost your confidence, improve your oral health, and allow you to eat all of your favorite foods.

If you want to speak with a professional about dental implants, contact Dr. Matt Henry’s office today! We offer some of the highest-qualitydental implants in Jacksonville, FL.

In this post, we’ll discuss dental implants in more detail, including what to expect during the treatment process.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth consisting of a metal post, abutment, and crown. The post is surgically inserted into your jawbone, while the abutment and crown are attached on top. The final product looks and feels just like a real tooth! Dental implants are incredibly strong and long-lasting.

Dental Implant Surgery: How It Works

If your doctor determines you’re a good candidate for dental implants, the first step involves placing the metal post into your jawbone. This device features a screw-like appearance, making it more secure. After it’s placed, you’ll need to wait until the post fuses together with your jawbone, which can take several months, depending on your situation. You also must give your mouth adequate time to heal.

Once the waiting period ends, you’ll have another office visit to place the abutment and crown. These are simply attached to the top of the metal post. And just like that—you have a gorgeous new smile!

Trusted Dental Implants in Jacksonville, FL

Our dentist, Dr. Matt Henry, has over three decades of experience in the industry. That being said, you can always count on him for reliable dental care. Whether you need dental implants, teeth whitening, or another important treatment, we’re here to help. Call us today to work with the topdentist in Jacksonville, FL!

Best Time of Life For Dental Implants

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There are many reasons why a person may lose an adult tooth. A permanent tooth may be lost due to an accident, periodontal disease, malnutrition, old age, and other causes. For this reason, people of many ages seek treatment with dental implants in Jacksonville, FL. But this isn’t always the best solution for all ages. What is the best time of life for dental implants?

What Conditions Are Best For Dental Implants?

Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution, but sometimes they can fail, just like other kinds of bodily implants. There are certain conditions that help to support the success of implants. In the case of dental implants, the best conditions include:

  • Overall good health
  • Fully developed jaw
  • Dense, strong jaw bone
  • Generally healthy gum tissue
  • And more

Best Time of Life For Dental Implants

It’s not recommended for young children to get dental implants, since their jaws are not fully developed. Getting implants too young may create a situation where the implant interferes with healthy jaw bone development.

Young adults in their 20s and 30s can safely get dental implants since their jaws are fully developed and their bone density is likely to be very good. In addition, it’s unlikely that they would have jaw bone degeneration since this is a condition that develops over time.

Middle-aged people around ages 40-60 could be good dental implant candidates, depending on individual circumstances. If bone density or health is an obstacle, these can be addressed with other dental treatments, to help create a more suitable oral health environment to accept dental implants.

Seniors past a certain age might be better suited to other restorative dentistry solutions that are less complex and less invasive.

If you’re curious as to whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants, talk to your Jacksonville, FL dentist. Contact us today to book an appointment where you can get all your questions answered!

4 Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Help You

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When your teeth are damaged or injured, restoration dentistry procedures can help bring your teeth back to a functional and aesthetically pleasing condition. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL can help. At Dr. Matt Henry’s office, we offer a range of restoration dentistry procedures. We’ll help you decide which restoration procedure is best for your circumstances.

1. Fillings

A cavity is a hole in the tooth enamel made by dental decay. A dental filling is like a patch that the dentist uses to fill a cavity. Fillings come in composite material or amalgam.

Composite fillings are made from tooth-colored material, while amalgam fillings are made from silver material. Composite fillings are less durable and don’t last as long as amalgam. However, many patients prefer composite material for fillings near the front of the mouth.

2. Implants

An implant is a prosthetic tooth installed to fill the hole left behind when a permanent tooth is knocked out. Implants are surgically installed in the jaw, so they function a lot like natural teeth. If you’re missing a tooth, an implant makes it possible to chew and talk like you did before your tooth was knocked out.

3. Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that fits over a damaged tooth. Crowns can cover cosmetic damage as well as damage to the enamel. This makes a dental crown a great solution for some patients with broken teeth.

4. Bridges

A dental bridge is an alternative to a dental implant. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that uses crowns to attach to adjacent teeth and hold the bridge in place.

Are you missing a tooth? Do you have a broken tooth? If so, you may need restorative dentistry in Jacksonville, FL. Call Dr. Matt Henry today to make an appointment.

Tips for Flossing Around Dental Implants (or not)

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Do you really need to floss around your dental implants in Jacksonville, FL? Besides, they are artificial teeth, so why would you need to bother with flossing? Let’s talk about flossing and your dental implants for a moment.

 

Here, we will give you some tips for flossing around your dental implants. We are also going to go over some of the conflicting information about whether or not you should floss around your implants and why. Your best bet is to ask your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, what they recommend for your particular situation. That way, you’re covered.

  • Thread your floss correctly.
  • Floss gently by slowly sliding it up and down.
  • Consider using a water flosser instead of floss.
  • Be extremely careful so you don’t break the peri-implant seal around your implant and gums.

Why You Should Floss Around Your Dental Implants

Even though your dental implants are artificial teeth, food and other debris still get around them, which must be removed. This will help prevent plaque from building up and causing an oral infection that could spread to other parts of your body.

Conflicting Information about Flossing with Dental Implants

Why would a dentist ever recommend not flossing your dental implants? Well, there are several reasons.

Floss can shred and get stuck between your implant and gums. When you have dental implants, the space between your teeth is generally wider than with your natural teeth. So, floss might prove ineffective. And lastly, many people floss too aggressively. It’s too easy to accidentally break or damage the thin barrier between your implants and your gums. This will allow bacteria to reach the underlying jawbone. Unfortunately, this can lead to implant failure and bone loss.

Looking for a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

If you want to get dental implants or have some other type of dental need, please Contact Dr. Matt Henry today. We love helping people improve their smiles. And we can do the same for you too. Just ask!

Dental Implants FAQs

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Are you interested indental implants in Jacksonville, FL? If so, it’s likely that you have a lot of questions about this restorative dental treatment. Dental implants have now been used all over the world on millions of patients. They provide a permanent, durable, and attractive solution for those who have lost one or more adult teeth. They are comprised of three parts; a titanium dental implant, a “screw” abutment, and a faux tooth or teeth. Here are more frequently asked questions about dental implants:

How Long Does it Take to Get Dental Implants?

Each case is unique, and there are different kinds of dental implant solutions. If you have no underlying oral health issues, you could get same-day dental implants. In other cases, especially if you need bone grafting, the entire process could take several months. Your dentist will be able to provide details about your individual circumstances when you visit.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

The implant part is made of titanium, which is a state-of-the-art material used for a range of implants, including dental implants, hip replacements, leg implants, and much more. It’s also FDA-approved as a material that is safe for humans. The titanium does not disintegrate or get absorbed into the body. It remains intact forever.

Does it Matter Where I Get Dental Implants?

It matters a great deal. Unfortunately, not all dental services are alike. You should always get dental implants and other dental work from a well-established dentist with experience in dental implants. Trying to go abroad for dental implants is a bad idea, as other countries’ standards for a dental license and treatment are sub-par to those in the United States. You can see from the testimonials about Dr. Matt Henry that we put our patients’ health first!

To learn more about dental implants, why not book an appointment with your Jacksonville, FL, dentist today? We’ll take the time to answer all your questions about dental implants and more thoroughly!

4 Signs Your Dental Implant Needs to Be Restored

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It is not uncommon for a dental implant to last for decades if not the lifetime of the patient. However, some people do have issues with their dental implant and it should be restored. Take a look at just a few of the signs that you may need to talk to your dentist about dental implant restoration.

1. Inflammation, Pain, or Swelling Around the Implant

Once an implant is in place, fused to the bones, and the soft tissue has healed, your implant should be like a perfectly healthy new tooth. If you have issues with inflammation, pain, or swelling around the implant, it is definitely not a good sign. Typically, these symptoms are a sign of infection, which can mean the implant and tissue once healed around it are coming apart and allowing bacteria in.

2. A Loose Implant

A dental implant should never be loose; it should be seated tightly in the bone and tissue so it does not move. A loose implant can be a sign that the implant is failing, which essentially means the fusion to the jawbone is non-existent. These issues happen frequently directly after the implantation, but any issues beyond that point are a sign an implant needs to be restored. If your implant falls out, get to the dentist right away for treatment.

3. Gum Recession Around the Implant

Gum recession around the implant is never a good sign. This issue can happen for a few reasons, but some of the most common reasons can be related to infection or lack of blood supply to the existing soft tissue around the implant. If you see the soft tissue around your implant changing, talk to your dentist right away to find out if restoration may be necessary.

Find Out More About Dental Implant Restoration in Jacksonville

Your dental implant is designed to give you a long-term replacement for a missing tooth. If you have issues with an implant you have, there is no doubt you will want to get it fixed or replaced. If you suspect you have a dental implant that needs attention from a professional, reach out to us at the office of Dr. Matt Henry in Jacksonville, FL.

 

Dental Implant Restoration

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All over the world, millions of people have dental implants. Dental implants are an effective and aesthetically pleasing way to solve a variety of dental problems. Unfortunately, along with all the benefits of dental implants, there are also potential problems. If you have dental implants in Jacksonville, Florida that are causing you problems , you may need dental implant restoration services. For dental implant restoration in Jacksonville, Florida, you can rely on the services of Dr. Matt Henry.

Is it Common to Have Dental Implant Problems?

Having problems with dental implants is not very common. However, the integrity of dental implants depends upon where the implants were done, as well as how well the patient cared for the dental implants after they were installed. Dental implants have been available as a treatment option for many years now. They have been proven to be safe and effective for replacing missing teeth. But for a variety of reasons, sometimes dental implants fail on some level. While this is not common, it does occur on occasion.

What Problems Can Occur With Dental Implants?

There’s no specific problem that can occur with all dental implants. However, by far, when there is a problem with dental implants, the most common situation is that the dental implant becomes loose or the crown has cracked or become displaced. This may happen over a period of time, or it may happen suddenly. The important thing is that, if you do have a problem with your dental implants, you get dental implant restoration in Jacksonville, Florida as soon as possible.

What Causes Dental Implants to Loosen?

It’s very important that you get your dental implants from a quality dentist. The dental implants process must be monitored very meticulously. Some of this has to do with the quality of the dentist, but it also has to do with your overall health and your body’s ability to adjust to the implants. There’s a process involved in the installation of dental implants called osseointegration. If this process of osseointegration doesn’t fully and completely take place, then the dental implants may eventually loosen.

In order to understand osseointegration, you must understand the basics of dental implants. When a dentist installs dental implants, the implant must actually join or fuse with your jawbone. The dentist will deposit fragments of bone around the implant over a period of many months in order to facilitate bone growth around the implant. This mimics the way your bone naturally grows. But if for some reason the bone does not grow to hold the dental implants, then it’s possible that over time, your dental implants may become loose. It’s very much like your natural teeth. If the bone fails, then the natural tooth becomes loose.

Another way that dental implants may loosen is if you end up developing some kind of gum disease or tooth infection that deteriorates the bone around the dental implants. This will also become a problem because the implant will loosen in your mouth.

One of the first signs of the need for dental plant restoration in Jacksonville, Florida is if you detect that your dental implants are loosening. As soon as you notice something like this happening, it’s important to call the offices of Dr. Matt Henry so that we can began dental plant restoration in Jacksonville, Florida. The sooner you call, the better the outcome.

What is Involved With Dental Implants Restoration in Jacksonville?

When you get Jacksonville dental implants restoration, the process of repair will depend upon what caused the problem in the first place. If the dental crown is cracked or damaged in another way, then doctor Matt Henry may be able to simply replace or repair the crown. Again, this will depend upon the extent of the damage and what caused it to begin with. If the dental crown needs to be replaced entirely, then it will obviously take longer to do the dental implants restoration in Jacksonville than if the dental crown can simply be repaired in the office. If the dental crown needs to be replaced, then a dental lab will need to be notified in order to create a new crown for you.

Now, if the dental implant has failed, then it will be a much more complicated process of dental implant restoration. In this case, the original implant will likely need to be removed entirely. Then, depending on your overall health and the integrity of your jawbone, you may or may not need to have a bone graft. Otherwise, the same problem may end up occurring in the future, which you want to avoid. At this point, the patient will be more familiar with the process, since it will mimic having original dental implants installed in the first place. The offices of Dr. Matt Henry will be able to give you more information about what will be involved with your particular dental implants restoration in Jacksonville once you book an appointment.

As you can see, it’s important that you visit the dentist as soon as you notice a problem with your dental implants. Don’t wait until the last minute to see the dentist, because it’s possible that a more serious situation can be avoided with earlier treatment.

When you need Jacksonville dental plant restoration services, please contact the offices of Dr. Matt Henry for quality care in a professional and pleasant office environment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!