When you have one or more missing teeth, you may consider replacement options. There are several choices, like dentures, bridges, and dental implants. If you've read about dental implants, chances are that you know that they typically require multiple visits to the dentist's office, and can take a while to be completely done. If you're cautious or concerned about this, it's worth pointing out that this is a good thing. Here's why.

Why Other Methods Are Quicker

Dentures and bridges are fairly quick to get from a dentist's office. They also usually require multiple visits to a dentist's office before one can go home with a full set of teeth. However, dentures and bridges don't require anything to be surgically inserted, which is where a lot of the downtime comes from. While that's the reality, it's also true that the reason dental implants take a while is also part of why they're so effective and last so much longer than either bridges or dentures.

How Your Body Plays a Role

When dentures or bridges are put in place, they simply sit on top of your gums. Nothing extends into or beneath the gums. However, with dental implants, the peg of the implant itself is inserted through the gums and down to the jaw bone. Once it's in position, it's sealed up and the gums are stitched around the top of the implant.

From here, it's up to your body to do the rest. The thing is, it's not just about healing your gums. The dental implant is going to fuse to the bone in your jaw, providing it with extreme strength and durability. It's the same way that real teeth work, and between using that mechanism and being made out of titanium, dental implants are extremely durable. Of course, bone doesn't grow overnight. It will take some time for your jaw bone to build new bone cells over the implant, and this is where the majority of the time spent waiting is.

The Benefits

In addition to their durability, the special placement of dental implants also provides you with certain benefits. The implant is like an artificial tooth root, doing similar things as a real tooth root. This means that when you bite down and chew on the implant, you'll be strengthening your jaw bone and improving gum circulation. Both of these things will help to keep your real teeth strong and healthy and can help to keep gum disease at bay.

Dental implants require a time investment, but they will ultimately mean an extremely long-lasting, durable, and healthy option for your oral health. Talk to a dentist if you'd like to know more about dental implant restoration services.