If there are several teeth missing in your mouth, you can have them filled in with dental implants. These surgical components are one of the more popular restorative procedures cosmetic dentists offer today. If you're planning on getting some, here's what you can expect. 

1. An Authentic Look 

When getting dental implants, you don't have to worry about them sticking out like a sore thumb. They actually are made to look like real teeth, giving you confidence to smile and not have to worry about being judged for having professional cosmetic work done.

So why do dental implants look so natural? Well, it really has to do with their placement. They're integrated into your jawbone, like natural teeth are in your mouth. They can also be manufactured to match the sheen of surrounding teeth, which helps present a natural look that no one will question. 

2. Multi-Stage Process 

You can't get dental implants put in overnight, unfortunately. It will in fact take several months to fully complete. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists have mastered each stage of this process. First, they'll run x-rays to examine where these implants need to go. Then, they'll insert posts into your jawbone. The bone and gum tissue need to fully heal before subsequent steps are taken. 

Once this healing is complete, a prosthetic tooth is secured to the post -- also called an abutment. During this time, you may feel a slight pain in the area of your mouth being worked on. Your dentist can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication if it gets too much to bear. You'll then follow up with your dentist over the course of several months to ensure everything is healing properly.

3. Save Adjacent Teeth 

Although dental implants primarily improve the aesthetics of your smile, they also play an important structural role. Most notably, they prevent surrounding teeth from getting damaged. That's because implants don't need to be anchored into these surrounding teeth. Instead, they have a stand-alone design.

What's also important is having a complete set of teeth thanks to dental implants. It stops the periodontal disease from rapidly spreading, ultimately saving you costly dental repairs in the future. Just make sure you take good care of these implants to keep your other teeth healthy as well.

Dental implants are incredible resources cosmetic dentists can use to improve your smile visually and structurally. To decide if they're right for you, think about what these implants can do and understand what getting them actually involves.