Do you have missing teeth or broken teeth in your mouth? Are you currently wearing dentures? Have you wished for a more complete smile? If these things ring a bell for you, get help now with dental implants from Dr. Joseph Touhalisky in Findlay, OH.

If you are unsure about dental implants, here are some frequently asked questions to get you started:

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium abutments that are designed to fit inside your gums in order to effectively replace your missing tooth roots. The implants are attached to the jawbone to create a foundation for artificial teeth. Crowns are then connected to the implants, creating an artificial tooth that is unmatched in both realistic look and feel.

How do dental implants work?

The process for receiving dental implants requires surgery and a relatively lengthy healing period (6 months to a year), during which time the abutment literally fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. The entire process is as follows:

1. The first appointment may involve broken tooth removal and preparation for future implant placement.
2. The next appointments include the actual dental implant placement, a procedure that is performed under local anesthetic in order to ensure as much comfort as possible.
3. After osseointegration has occured, the crown is placed atop of the abutment—a step that completes your new tooth!

How do you care for dental implants?

After dental implants have been placed, the care for your teeth is just as vital as it is for natural teeth. It is important to stick to very strict oral hygiene practices of brushing at least twice a day and flossing once every day.

Interested? Give us a call!

Dr. Touhalisky is your Findlay expert for dental implants. Call (419) 427-1500 today to schedule your consultation with Joseph Touhalisky, DDS.

Dental implants have revolutionized the way that dentists treat tooth loss. Implants are the only dental restoration that replaces a missing tooth fully from root to crown, which has a number of benefits for your oral and general health. Dr. Joseph Touhalisky, a dentist in Findlay, OH, recommends dental implants for healthy patients looking to repair their smile after tooth loss.

Dental Implants in Findlay, OH

For most people, the cosmetic effects of tooth loss tend to take center stage, and understandably so. As one of the first things that people see when they look at you, your smile plays a major role in your identity and self-esteem. However, as anyone living with tooth loss can also attest, there are a number of health problems that come along with missing teeth, from gum disease to malnutrition. Dental implants kill two birds with one stone by restoring your oral health and giving you a beautiful new smile in the process.

How Dental Implants Work

Candidates for dental implants must meet a few requirements in order to qualify. For starters, you must be an adult and in good general health. Additionally, you must have enough existing bone tissue in the gums at the time of the implant. Bone tissue loss in the gums is one of the main (but unseen) side effects of tooth loss. Implants help to prevent this by replacing the tooth's root in the socket and encouraging the growth of healthy new tissue as well.

After a comprehensive dental exam to determine if you are a good candidate, the dentist will schedule an appointment to surgically place the implant. Once in place, the implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue (osseointegration). After the implant has fully healed, the cosmetic crown is attached. Implants can replace a single tooth or support an entire set of dentures, making them a good option for people suffering from various stages of tooth loss.

Implants must be cared for like natural teeth with rigorous oral hygiene at home, and regular follow up care with the dentist. With proper care, they have a very high success rate and are the next best thing to natural teeth.

Find a Dentist in Findlay, OH

Are you ready to take control of your oral health and restore your smile? For more information about dental implants and to determine whether you qualify for treatment, contact our office by calling (419) 427-1500, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Touhalisky today!

For your best smile, do all you can to preserve your natural teeth and healthy gums. However, if tooth loss occurs, consider closing those smile gaps with today's premiere tooth replacements: dental implants from Dr. Joseph Touhalisky in Findlay, OH. Embedded in the jaw bone for superior stability and longevity, dental implants are the next best things to natural teeth.

Your tooth structure

A natural tooth has two basic parts: the root within the gums and jaw bone, and the crown, or part which you can see in your mouth. When lost to decay, infection, oral trauma or other irrevocable circumstance, the natural gum tissue and supporting bone in the empty tooth socket begin to deteriorate.

While conventional bridgework or dentures successfully replace tooth structure above the gum line, they do nothing to replace root structure or bone. Denture slippage and facial changes typically occur.

Enter the dental implant

A dental implant is an actual artificial tooth because it replaces both tooth root and crown, and it exercises the supporting jaw bone. Composed of three parts (a titanium implant screw, a metal alloy extension and a porcelain crown), an implant confers the physical forces of biting and chewing into the bone in which it resides.

Therefore, the bone retains its natural shape, size and density. In fact, the bone melds to the embedded implant device through what dentist's call osseointegration--a truly miraculous process unique to titanium implants. Your dentist will fully evaluate your jaw, oral health and more to determine if dental implants are the right replacement option for you.

The implant evaluation and treatment

During your first appointment with Dr. Touhalisky, he'll do a complete oral examination to determine if you have enough bone in your jaw to support an implant.

During your next appointment, Dr. Touhalisky will numb the empty socket, open the gums and drill a small opening into the bone. He'll select the proper size implant, insert it and close the gums with some sutures. The ensuing osseointegration and healing take several weeks to months, but when complete, the dentist can attach the metal post and customized crown.

Versatile implants

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that the dental implant grows in popularity every year in the United States--to the tune of 500,000 more placements every year. Why do dentists recommend dental implants? With good care at home and in the dental office, dental implants last for decades, and they faithfully mimic real teeth in form and function.

In addition, dental implants are versatile. Placed in multiples, implants support fixed bridgework, partial dentures and even full dentures, giving patients smiles that feel natural and look great.

No more gaps

Find out if you are a candidate for state-of-the-art dental implants from your dentist in Findlay, Dr. Joseph Touhalisky. For your consultation, call the office at (419) 427-1500.

Dental Implants Help Restore Function to Your Bite

Your smile is one of the first things that someone notices about you, and a missing tooth or multiple teeth can put a damper on that first impression.  Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used to support a restoration for a missing tooth or teeth, helping to stop or prevent jaw bone loss.  By replacing missing tooth roots, dental implants provide people with the strength and stability to eat all the foods they love without struggling to chew.  Dental implants can also stimulate and maintain jaw bone, preventing bone loss and helping to maintain facial features.  With a visit to your dentist in Findlay, you can find out if you are a candidate for this smiling saving procedure. 

Your Findlay Dentist Explains How Implants Work

Advantages of Dental Implants

• Improved Appearance: Dental implants look and feel just like your own teeth.
• Improved Comfort: Implants are securely anchored, so there is no slipping as there is with dentures. This eliminates some of the key inconveniences of dentures, including poor fit, gum irritation, and pain.
• Improved Health: Dental implants can help prevent deterioration of the jawbone caused by loss of teeth, so your face retains its natural shape.  
• Durability: Implants are strong and can last a lifetime with proper care. 
• Convenience: Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent, eliminating the inconvenience of removing your dentures. With implants, you can brush and care for your teeth just as you would your natural teeth.