Dental Implants
Dental implants are a very conservative approach to replace missing teeth. Although removable dentures and fixed bridges are viable options to replace missing teeth as well, implants may be a better solution for your needs.
Dental Implant Details
There are many benefits associated with dental implants. In fact, restoring missing teeth with dental implants is as close as we can get to a natural tooth.
- They look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth do.
- Dental implants are often the preferred permanent choice to replace a missing tooth because it does not involve any drilling or tooth modification on the adjacent teeth, like what needs to be done with a fixed bridge.
- Your doctor will discuss with you what treatment option may be best in your particular case.
The 3 Components of Dental Implants:
- The base of the implant is made up of titanium and is anchored into the jaw bone. Titanium is frequently used in other parts of the body in other areas of medicine as well.
- After the implant is placed, your bone and gums will heal around the implant, providing a stable foundation for the remaining two components of the implant.
- Once the base of the implant has healed and integrated into the bone, we can start fabricating the abutment, which connects the base of the implant to the custom crown. It is only this custom crown that you will see when you smile and enjoy your new tooth.
How long until my dental implant is healed?
The time it takes from start to finish before a patient can enjoy their new implant varies from patient to patient and depends on a number of factors. When it comes down to it, enough time has to pass to ensure proper healing and integration. That time frame will be decided by the surgeon who places the implant, but is normally 3 to 4 months.
How to care for my dental implant?
Taking care of your new dental implant is similar to taking care of your natural teeth, with a few important differences.
- For one, you will never have to worry about developing a cavity on the actual dental implant being that it is made of titanium and other dental materials.
- However, this does not mean you no longer have to clean your implant. It is crucial to keep a consistent hygiene regimen in order to keep the surrounding gum and bone healthy.
- This means brushing 2 times per day with a soft bristled toothbrush and flossing daily.
- If you are unable to keep the dental implant clean, the gum and bone surrounding the implant can start to recede and pull away from the implant. This can lead to implant failure and require removal at that time.
