Missing teeth affect more than your smile, they change how you chew, how your jawbone holds its shape, and how the rest of your teeth shift over time. Dakota Dental in Columbus, OH places dental implants as a long-term, fixed replacement built to function like a natural tooth.
A dental implant replaces both the visible tooth and the root underneath it. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months in a process called osseointegration. Once that's solid, a custom crown is attached on top, matched to the shape and color of your other teeth.
Bridges and dentures replace what's missing, but implants are anchored directly into the bone, they don't shift, don't rely on neighboring teeth for support, and help prevent the bone loss that naturally follows tooth loss. Most patients describe eating and speaking with an implant as close to having their natural tooth back.
Most healthy adults with adequate jawbone density are candidates. If bone has thinned out, a bone graft can sometimes be done first to create a stable foundation.
Including healing time, the full process typically runs three to eight months from placement to final crown, depending on individual healing.
Most patients adjust quickly and report that implants feel and function very close to a natural tooth once healing is complete.
Neighboring teeth can shift into the gap, the opposing tooth can over-erupt, and the jawbone in that area gradually loses density over time.