What are Dental Implants?
To replace missing teeth and preserve your oral health dental implants can be surgically placed into the jawbone. When implants are combined with a tooth replacement such as a crown they can feel and look like a natural tooth.
Implants could be used to treat various oral health problems, keep neighboring teeth from shifting, help correct jaw joint pain and bite issues, and help preserve the appearance and tissue in a patient's face.
1. Fixture
Generally, the implant itself (also called the fixture) is made from titanium and is surgically administered beneath the gums.
Shaped like a screw, the permanent implant will be placed in the jawbone after the surgeon drills a small hole to replace the missing tooth's roots. As the tissue heals, the fixture bonds to the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration, which allows the implant to sit in your mouth permanently.
Dental professionals usually use titanium because it's often known for being well-accepted by the human body. Using proper materials increases the chance that osseointegration and other parts of the process will go smoothly, and reduces the risk of corrosion and other complications.
2. Abutment
Since the implant itself is completely under the gumline, an extender is added to the false tooth. Called the abutment, this short screw extends at or directly over the gum line to support the tooth replacement.
The abutment can be constructed from a tooth-coloured material or metal and is usually attached after osseointegration has occurred. On the other hand, dentists sometimes place a fixture, abutment, and temporary restoration at the same time.
3. Tooth Replacement
You will come back to have your tooth replacement (bridge, crown, or denture) attached approximately three to six months after your surgery. The replacement (or prosthesis) will have a similar appearance and function to your natural teeth and can be crafted from ceramic, porcelain, or other materials.
Your tooth replacement and the dental implant as a whole will work like a natural tooth and roots, which means you can chew and speak as you would normally - without the need to remove or replace false teeth.
By Replace Missing Teeth You are Preserving Your Oral Health
Whichever tooth replacement option you and your dentist decide is right for you, it's important to have missing teeth replaced as soon as possible to prevent deterioration in the jaw and gum tissues. If deterioration occurs, this can cause further complications for your oral and overall health and teeth surrounding the gap can shift out of position, which may lead to bite issues and uneven teeth.
At Marquis Dental, our dentists are available to help diagnose any oral health problems you might have and determine the best possible treatment plan for you. If you have missing teeth or are suffering from other oral health problems, don't hesitate to call us to schedule a dental examination and cleaning today.