Nothing is ever quite as good as a natural tooth. However, a dental implant comes extremely close in matching both the form and function of an original tooth. If you have recently lost a tooth, or will be having one extracted, you should carefully consider your treatment options. Dental implants have become the gold standard in tooth replacement for patients who make good candidates for the procedure.

Benefits of Dental Implants:

• Look and function just like natural teeth

• Solidly anchored within the jawbone; prevent slippage

• Durable and long-lasting; expected to last for a lifetime with proper care

Implant Components

A dental implant consist of three main components. The part that actually goes into the jawbone is a titanium metal post. Your dentist would place an abutment component over this metal post, followed by a dental crown that provides a chewing surface.

What To Expect

After numbing the area, your dentist will drill a hole into your jawbone. Some patients may need to have an incision formed in their gums to expose the underlying bone, which means that sutures will be required.

Next, your dentist will place the implant into your jawbone, serving as an artificial root for your replacement tooth.

Bone Grafting

One exception is if you lack sufficient bone mass to receive an implant. This sometimes occurs when a patient goes without a tooth for a long period of time, which causes something called resorption. This is when the jawbone deteriorates without the presence of a tooth root.

If you require a bone graft procedure, your dentist would perform it before placing the titanium metal post into your jaw. After the donor bone has been incorporated into your jaw, they could then place the first component of the dental implant at a follow-up appointment.

Abutment Placement

Several months will pass between the placement of the titanium metal screw and the second part of the process. This period of time allows your jawbone to naturally fuse around your implant to firmly anchor it.

After the placement of the abutment, your dentist will place a dental crown to cap the entire structure, completing the fitting of the entire dental implant.

Implant Aftercare

No special care is needed for your new dental implant. However, it is extremely important that you maintain proper oral hygiene at home. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Even though your new implant is extremely strong, it can still be undermined by gum disease if you are not practicing good oral hygiene.

Schedule Your Implant Consultation

If you would like to learn if you would qualify for a dental implant, or would like to request additional information about this popular procedure, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.