Missing teeth can adversely impact your life. They make you self-conscious about your smile, they can affect the way you speak, and they contribute to poor oral health. Dental implants are the latest in tooth restoration technology and the only permanent solution to missing teeth. To decide if dental implants might be right for you, it’s essential to understand how a tooth implant is done.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant procedure replaces the tooth root with a metal rod and the missing teeth with a prosthetics crown or denture or bridge. The metal post is typically made of titanium which is biocompatible and fuses with the jawbone to create a strong anchor for tooth restoration.
Dental implants come in various options to meet your tooth replacement needs, from a single implant to an All-on-4 implant, which is an excellent choice for patients who need to replace an entire dental arch. All-on-4 implants consist of four tooth implants positioned at the end of your jawbone to support an entire arch of replacement teeth.
How a Tooth Implant is Done?
Before the surgical procedure you need to visit the dentist for an initial consultation to assess your jawbone and gum health and evaluate the structural support around your teeth. This is to ensure you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. You may need X-rays or 3D digital scans to determine the density and thickness of your jawbone.
If your jawbone has deteriorated, you may need a bone graft or sinus lift to stimulate bone growth so the implant can properly bond.
If you have advanced gum disease, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, as well as a course of antibiotics before continuing with the dental implant surgery.
Getting dental implants consists of three stages.
The first stage is placement of the implant. Your dentist makes an incision in the gums that exposes the bone, then uses a drill to create a space in the bone for the implant. Once the implant is placed, the incision is closed, and you need to wait between 3-6 months for the rod and the bone to fuse through a process called osseointegration.
At your second appointment, the abutment is attached to the implant. An abutment acts as the connector between the dental implant and your prosthetic tooth. It is typically made of titanium or zirconia and serves as the base for the crown. Once the abutment is in place, your dentist takes impressions of your existing teeth and the abutment to create a model for the custom crown, which is fitted at your final consultation.
Why Get Dental Implant Surgery?
Replacing missing teeth is a vital part of maintaining good oral health. When gaps from lost teeth remain empty, it causes the teeth surrounding the gap to move along the periodontal membrane, pushing your teeth out of alignment. This can make it challenging to brush and floss in tight crevices. Failing to fill the gap from missing teeth can also result in your jawbone weakening over time, potentially affecting your facial structure, resulting in an aged appearance.
Dental implants look and function like your natural teeth. Once the titanium rod fuses with the jawbone, a tooth implant provides ample support that can withstand your bite force. You’ll also avoid slipping and speech issues, which ill-fitting dentures or dental bridges can cause.
Contact Woonona Dentists
Contact Woonona Dentists to determine if a dental implant procedure is a good solution for restoring your smile. Call us on (02) 4210 9078 to book an appointment today.
