Dental Implants
Tooth replacement continues to advance. Dentures are no longer the only way to replace multiple missing teeth. Today, we can employ dental implants to rebuild teeth from the jaw bone up.
While the implant procedure is more involved than the process associated with a bridge or denture, patients find that the additional preparation is worth the long-term, comprehensive results.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium tooth root replacement. It is shaped like a screw and is placed directly into the jaw bone at the site of tooth loss. Over the coming months, the biocompatible implant material connects to your natural bone tissue. This forms a foundation for a replacement tooth. The replacement can take the form of a crown, a bridge or a full denture (with several implants).What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
- Allow for natural-looking, natural-feeling and naturally-functioning replacement teeth
- Offer a long-term restorative option that can last for life
- Help preserve bone tissue and prevent bone loss, shifting teeth and additional tooth loss from periodontal disease
- Can be maintained with just routine exams and normal oral hygiene
- Add stability and function to a full or partial denture
- Don’t compromise the strength of surrounding natural teeth that are still in place (as a bridge does)
Dental Implant Procedure Steps
The process typically takes between 3-4 appointments, with healing periods required between several of the visits.- Diagnosis & treatment planning – Dr. Khaghany-Duffy x-rays the area and creates a treatment plan. An impression is also taken to assist in planning the surgery and to create a temporary to place with the implant as it heals. We use a panorex to take 360 degree x-rays and capture complex images of the entire head and mouth that assist in implant placement.
- Implant placement – The treatment area is numbed with local anesthesia. A small incision is made in the gums so that the implant can be connected with the jaw bone. The area is sutured so that the implant can be held in place as it heals.
- Crown placement – After about 3 months of healing, the patient returns to the office to receive a porcelain crown that connects to the implant. This fully restores the entire tooth structure.