You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth and your gums are healthy. Dental implants are surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments. After the bone bonds to your implant posts, your permanent replacement tooth or teeth will be secured to the posts.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tooth replacements that are surgically implanted into the jawbone and then capped with a dental crown or bridge. They can provide the same function as real teeth, including eating and chewing. The only difference is that they won’t develop cavities or need root canals. One of the main benefits of dental implants is that they prevent bone loss in the jaw, encouraging bone growth instead. This prevents the facial structure from collapsing inward, which is common in those who have missing teeth.
The implant itself is made of titanium, which fuses to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Since the implants are actually fused to your jawbone, your prosthetic teeth will feel much more natural than bridges or dentures. In fact, most patients can’t even tell that their dental implant is fake! Since they’re so effective, dental implants are now recommended over other options.
How do Dental Implants work?
Dental implants are permanent prosthetics that replace one or more missing teeth. The implants, which are small titanium screws, are placed in the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. After a period of healing, during which the implant bonds to the bone, it is restored with a crown that matches the surrounding teeth.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. One dental implant can support one replacement tooth -- several dental implants can hold all the teeth in an arch. Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone and are capped with replacement teeth called crowns. They may be used to replace individual teeth or to support a full denture.
Why Do I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?
Patients who have lost a tooth or multiple teeth due to injury or disease may want to consider dental implants as a treatment option. In order for a dental implant to be successful, the patient must have sufficient bone in his or her jaw to support the implant. If there isn’t enough bone present, the implant may not be successful and may need to be placed further back in the jaw where more bone is present. In this case, bone grafting may be required before dental implants can be placed.
During the procedure, the dentist will numb the area where the graft will be inserted. Then a small incision is made in the gums, and the tissue is gently moved out of the way to expose the underlying bone. Once exposed, the bone is prepared to receive the new bone tissue by scraping away a small portion of it. Next, a similar material is used to fill in the area where the bone was removed. Finally, the gum tissue is closed over the prepared site. Over the next few months, new bone will grow around the and
Is Bone Graftingan Option?
Sometimes, a tooth has suffered so much damage that there is not enough bone available to receive the implant. In these cases, you may need bone grafting to prepare your jaw for implants. Your dentist will determine whether or not you need this additional procedure. Filling in the gap with bone grafting material can correct irregularities in the jawline and strengthen your jaw’s structure so that it can support dental implants.
The best way to find out if you need a bone grafting procedure is to call 480-553-9414 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. At Robert Baker Dentistry, we will examine your condition, let you know if your bone is lacking in density, and recommend you a specialist.
