When you are missing one or more teeth, it can make it difficult to eat and speak properly. In addition to physical discomfort and embarrassment, your overall oral health can suffer if you neglect your teeth and gums.
Dental implants are designed to help patients who have lost teeth due to tooth decay, tooth trauma, or gum disease and who do not want to or are not able to have dental bridges or dentures.
When you have one or more dental implants placed in the jaw bone beneath your gums, it allows you to have natural-looking teeth that function the way they should.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed into your jaw bone to help support a replacement tooth or teeth. The implant is then covered with a plastic cap that is shaped to look like a natural tooth.
How Does It Work?
A dental implant is made of titanium and is placed in the jaw bone beneath the gum where it provides a foundation for your replacement tooth.
Once a dental implant is in place, bone tissue will begin to form around the titanium post. If a tooth is placed on top of the implant, the bone continues to grow, fusing the dental implant in place and acting as a natural tooth.
What are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?
Compared to other tooth replacement procedures, a dental implant offers many benefits such as the following:
- Prevents bone loss;
- Matches your natural teeth;
- Restores bite;
- Mitigates changes to your face shape;
- Restores natural speech;
- A permanent solution to tooth loss that is easy to care for years to come;
Not to mention, dental implants are custom-made to precisely fit your mouth, providing you with a beautiful and natural-looking tooth replacement.
The Basic Steps to Expect in a Dental Implant Process
1. Selection and Consultation
The first step in the dental implant process is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. In your consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
During your initial visit, your dentist will discuss all of your treatment options and help you make an informed decision about your dental implant treatment.
2. Tooth Removal
Once your dentist recommends dental implants as the best treatment for you, he or she will remove the teeth that are causing you problems.
3. Bone Grafting (Elective)
If your jaw bone has lost density or is not dense enough for dental implants, the bone can be strengthened with a bone grafting procedure.
4. Dental Implant Procedure
Your dentist will place the dental implants in the jaw bone, making sure they are in the right position to function properly and look natural.
5. Metal Collar or Healing Cap Procedure
Once the dental implant is placed, a metal collar is placed over the dental implant. You are given a healing cap to wear over the metal collar to protect the dental implant while it heals.
6. Dental Implant Abutment & Temporary Crown Procedure
The next step after the healing cap is to place the dental implant abutment, which is a clasp that attaches to the dental implant. Then, a temporary crown is placed over the abutment to protect the dental implant from damage and provide the function of the tooth it is replacing.
7. Final Crown Placement
Your final tooth crown will be placed once the implant is fully healed and your bone has fused to the dental implant.
The Bottom Line: Understanding What You Can Know About Dental Implants
The decision to restore your beautiful smile with dental implants is an important one, and you should never rush into treatment. Before you schedule your dental implant procedure, ask your dentist to explain the process in detail and answer any of your questions to help you make the most informed decision possible.
Are You Looking for the Best Family Dentistry in Medway?
If you need to get dental implants in Massachusetts, then contact our talented dentists at Saint Mark Dental. We are committed to helping our patients achieve healthy smiles!
