What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent option for replacing missing teeth. Because implants are anchored directly within your bone, they keep that bone tissue healthy and strong.
Individual dental implants replace one missing tooth. They consist of a post that acts as a replacement tooth root, usually connected to a crown that replaces the missing portion of tooth tissue. Some types use a small piece called an abutment to connect the post and crown.
Another option uses four implanted posts to secure an entire upper or lower arch of false teeth. This is a more secure and durable option than dentures, and it also preserves healthy bone tissue.
What are the steps involved in getting dental implants?
The planning stage is the most important part of getting dental implants. Your practitioner gathers advanced imaging to learn more about the size, shape, and alignment of your teeth, as well as the density and volume of bone tissue. If you need to have one or more teeth extracted, that process may need to occur before moving forward with implants.
Dental implant software uses that data to determine the precise angle for placing the post portion of your new implant(s). On the day of your procedure, you’ll receive numbing medication to ensure you rest comfortably from start to finish.
Your dentist creates an incision in your gum tissue to access the underlying bone before creating a small pilot hole to guide the placement of the implant. Once the post is inserted into the bone, the gum tissue is closed around the post and a period of healing begins.
Once your bone tissue has fused to the implanted post, you’ll come back in to have the crown portion of the implant attached. The dental lab crafts the crown to perfectly align with the adjacent teeth in a way that also creates a healthy bite. Your dental implant will look and function just like your natural teeth, except it is not subject to pain or decay.
If you’d like to explore dental implants in greater detail, spend a few moments on the online booking page to set up your visit. You can also reach the office by phone to check appointment availability.
