Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live. With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.
What is a Dental Implant?
The best way to describe a dental implant is to compare it to a real tooth. A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. The part of the tooth that you see and eat with is called the crown. Beneath the crown is the root which anchors the tooth through the gum tissue to the jawbone. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace a tooth, we first have to replace the root. Essentially a dental implant is a new root. The titanium root is fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw, replacing the lost root of your natural tooth.
Dental implants come in various shapes and sizes and have different types of surfaces. The actual implant selection will depend on a variety of factors related to your specific treatment needs and the most appropriate one(s) will be used. Once an implant has been placed in the jaw, the bone around the implant will need to heal for two to six months, depending upon how hard the bone is. When this initial phase of healing is completed, a support post called an abutment will be placed into the implant itself and then a new crown will be placed on top.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
The first stage is the placement of the titanium implant. The implant will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately two to six months. During this time, the implant should fuse to the bone. The second stage of the procedure involves uncovering the implant and attaching a post. This completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed.
The final step is the placement of your new tooth by your dentist, to be placed one to three weeks after second stage is complete. Prior to the 2nd stage, your general/restoring dentist should be contacted to arrange for this appointment.
Dental Implants Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
Why Are People Choosing Dental Implants?
If you are among the millions of people who suffer from permanent tooth loss, you can eliminate the problems and pain caused by dentures, bridges or missing teeth. You can begin to rediscover the joy of eating healthy, speaking clearly and laughing comfortably.
Dental implants are great option for patients missing natural teeth because they act as a secure anchor for artificial replacement of teeth and eliminate the instability associated with removable dentures. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Helpful Information
Based on patient needs, a single tooth, a partial bridge or a full set of replacement teeth are fitted to the implants and locked in place over the protruding posts. In appearance and in function, implants are the closest thing to natural teeth and a good alternative to conventional dentures.
Implants eliminate the day-to-day frustrations and pain of ill fitting dentures. They allow people to enjoy a healthy varied diet without the restrictions many denture wearers face. For all of these reasons, people with dental implants often say they feel better… they look better… they live better.
Links: Nobel Biocare Implants