WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Permanent solution for tooth loss
Dental implants represent a common procedure of permanently replacing missing teeth without affecting neighboring teeth.
With the help of dental implants, we can fully remedy toothlessness and thus strongly improve chewing and speaking abilities as well as restore a beautiful smile. Implants can also serve as carriers of a fixed dental bridge or denture.
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Permanent solution
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Improved chewing and speaking
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Natural function and look
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Improved facial appearance
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Prevention of bone loss
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No special care required
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Very sturdy and secure
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No diet restrictions
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Can be changed or updated
What to expect when expecting an implant
The dental implant procedure happens in multiple appointments that are usually several months apart. In the first phase, the surgical placement of the implant, your mouth will be thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia or you will be given IV Sedation, so you do not feel any pain or discomfort.
Surgical guides allow doctors to plan an implant virtually and then accurately place an implant in the most safe, predictable, and efficient manner. In addition to increased accuracy, patients will also save chair time. A small hole is made in your gums to place the tooth root implant into the jawbone in the location of your missing tooth. Once the implant is placed, it remains covered.
You will recover at home and will probably come back for the second phase of the procedure in a few months. That gives enough time for the bone to grow around the implant, making it strong enough to stay in place. This process is called osseointegration, meaning the titanium combines with the bone.
Each patient heals differently, so it can take up to four to six months before the replacement teeth can be placed. In more sensitive cases, a patient can have everything placed in one appointment.
Once the dentist determines that the implant is secure, a connecting piece called an abutment is placed over the post portion of the implant. This is the part that will hold the new tooth.
When your gums heal, the dentist will perform what is called a torque test to see how much of the implant has integrated with your bone. If things look great your dentist will make impressions of your teeth and create a custom replacement tooth, also called a crown. The crown is then attached to the abutment.
