Are You Dealing with a Missing Tooth?
The loss of a tooth can have a significant impact on your confidence, self-esteem, and even your ability to chew and speak clearly. Thankfully, dental implants provide an excellent solution for tooth replacement, offering a pathway to restoring your radiant smile.
So, What Exactly Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant serves as a sophisticated replacement for a tooth’s natural root. It consists of a titanium structure, resembling a screw, which is surgically placed beneath the gum line. This implant becomes integrated into the jaw’s bone structure as it bonds with the existing bone. Subsequently, a crown, the visible and white part of the tooth, is attached to the implant, completing the replacement.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Dental Implants?
To be considered an ideal candidate for dental implants, you should possess good general health, maintain healthy gums, and have adequate bone density in your jaw to support the implant’s anchorage.
During your initial consultation, a thorough examination of the targeted mouth area will be conducted by your dental surgeon to assess the feasibility of implant placement.
A three-dimensional X-ray may be required to determine the volume of available bone. Once this essential data is obtained, a treatment plan is devised in collaboration with your dentist to ensure the most favorable outcomes.
When Are Dental Implants Recommended?
Dental implants are a versatile solution used to replace one or more missing teeth. For the replacement of a single tooth, an individual crown is custom-fabricated and affixed to the implant. In cases where multiple teeth require replacement, multiple implants can be employed to support a partial denture, often referred to as a “bridge,” or a complete denture.
Distinguishing Between an Implant and a Dental Crown
It is essential to distinguish between the roles of an implant and a dental crown. The implant takes on the role of replacing the root of the missing tooth, which is the portion situated below the gumline.
The crown, on the other hand, assumes the function of replacing the visible part of the tooth and is secured onto the implant after a designated healing period. These two components work in tandem to complete the tooth replacement process effectively.
How Is an Implant Installed?
The implant placement process begins with a surgical procedure where the dental implant is inserted directly into the jawbone, occupying the space left by the missing tooth. Subsequently, it is allowed to undergo a healing period lasting several months.
During this healing duration, the implant undergoes a crucial process known as osseointegration, wherein it becomes fused with the surrounding bone.
Once the healing process is successfully completed, the dentist attaches the crown to the implant, ensuring the harmonious integration of both components and delivering the smile you’ve been dreaming of.
Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca