Implants are one of the options to replace missing teeth and can be used to treat either a single tooth or multiple teeth.
An implant is an artificial root, that is placed into the jaw, under the gum. After a few months of healing, the top of the implant is uncovered and a healing guide placed for a few weeks to shape the gum so that the crown or bridge placed on the implant in the next stage looks like a natural tooth emerging from the gum.
Once the gum contour is correct an impression is taken of the top of the implant and the other teeth. This is sent to our dental laboratory who custom make your crown or bridge.
Multiple implants can also be used to support a full jaw of bridges rather than having a full removeable denture.
Dental Implants: How They Work?
The dental implant is made up of a titanium post with an abutment and, finally, a prosthetic crown. First, the titanium post is placed into the jawbone by the dentist. Then the patient and dentist wait for the surrounding bone to adhere to the titanium post.
The titanium used for the implant is tough, durable and compatible with your human tissue - it integrates into your body easily through a process known as “osseointegration.” This means the bone and the implant bond together during the healing process creating a permanent fixture.
After the post is secure, an abutment is attached to it. This allows the crown to be put in place. The post acts as a root but also stimulates the surrounding bone, keeping the bone from “shrinking” any further.
Who Can Have Dental Implants?
There are two main requirements for dental implants. The first is decent oral health. The second is enough bone for the implant to “take.” Gum disease and bacteria are very bad for implants, so we have to treat those conditions before performing a dental implant. The implant procedure is considered surgery, so a patient who cannot have surgery will have to consider other options.
If a person has a high level of oral hygiene and is in good health, age is usually not a problem. The only other age-related potential issue could be bone loss which generally happens in older people.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of dental implants, please contact us to make an appointment.
