Dental Implants
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A dental implant is a treatment that is designed to be a permanent alternative to the replacement of missing teeth. This treatment tends to be a better alternative to other forms of tooth replacement because its permanent and not removable. It preserves the condition of adjacenet teeth by not needing to alter them for an appliance which is what is needed for a dental bridge. They also tend to be more hygienic than a bridge because they are easier to keep clean with "normal" oral hygiene.
Indications for Dental Implants
- Replaces a missing tooth
- Helps maintain bone level
- Adds retentive support to dentures
- Maintains the look and the feel of a natural tooth
What's the process?
Placement:
The entire process of an implant is done over the course of 3-4 months depending on if additional bone grafting needs to be done to prepare the bone to become a better implant site.
An incision is made at the site, and a screw is placed in the jawbone. Afterwards, the incision in the gums is then sutured. The implant will take about 3 months to integrate and heal, a process known as osseointegration.
Restoring:
After about 3 months of osseointegration, an impression or scan is taken of that implant and sent to a lab to fabricate an abutment and crown. The abutment is what inserts into the implant and is used to hold the crown at its desired position. When the restoration returns from the lab, it is seated and attached permanently. Your smile will return to what it used to be, and the implant will begin to feel like a natural tooth.
