Dental implants generally consist of titanium posts or screws which are inserted into your jawbone, and then an abutment is installed to connect the post to some kind of restoration. This will be in the form of a bridge, a denture, or a dental crown, and it will completely replace the missing tooth. The fact that the titanium post actually fuses completely with your jawbone allows it to literally become part of that jawbone, and to feel totally natural in your mouth.
The advantages of dental implants make them highly desirable as solutions for missing teeth. For one thing, they help to maintain the natural shape of your face and to prevent any bone loss from your jaw. They will also prevent teeth near the missing one from shifting into that open area, and becoming crooked or tilted in doing so. The best thing about titanium implants is that they look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth would, so that you don’t even realize you have an implant installed.
First there will be an initial evaluation so as to determine the health of your jawbone, as well as the best implant procedure to perform. If any part of the missing tooth still needs to be extracted, that will be addressed next. This will usually be done during the same session as the surgery for the implant. You will have some form of anesthesia, so that you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the process. Then a period of several months must pass, so the titanium insert can have time to fuse with your jawbone, and actually become part of it. After this has been completed, the abutment will be put in place, and this is used to connect the implant to the dental crown, which replaces your missing tooth. When your gums have healed, the permanent crown will be installed, and any necessary modifications will be performed, so it becomes a good fit for your mouth.
Once your new dental crown has been installed, it may feel awkward for a few days, but soon thereafter it will begin feeling like a very natural part of your mouth. All you’ll have to do to care for it properly, is to undertake normal brushing and flossing, because the crown must be kept clean to prevent it from wearing out prematurely.
If you’re interested in having dental implants installed, contact us at Ammons Dental by Design. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have, as well as arranging for that important initial consultation so you can take the first big step toward a new smile.