What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a titanium post or screw drilled into the jawbone underneath the empty socket of the missing tooth. Most people believe dental implants replace the missing teeth, but they actually replace the root structures of the missing teeth. Once the implant is drilled into the jawbone, your natural bone tissues gradually grow around the implant via the osseointegration process, thereby rooting it in place. The osseointegration process turns the dental implant into an integrated component of your facial anatomy.

Once the dental implant is firmly rooted, the dentist attaches an abutment, a small connective component, to the implant. After placing the abutment, the dental implant specialist can attach the dental crown or bridge. If you’re missing one tooth, the dentist will attach a crown to the implant. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped and tooth-colored cap that’s shade-matched to your existing teeth. A dental bridge is a series of fake teeth attached to the implants, ideal for the restoration of multiple missing teeth.

Advantages of Dental Implants:

• Simple, in-office procedure
• Completely stable teeth replacement
• Support your natural jawbone tissues
• Prevent facial sagging because of the loss of jawbone tissues
• Prevent the surrounding teeth from moving out of alignment
• No risk of the implants slipping or sliding out of place
• Restore optimal cosmetic appearance and functionality
• Improve your overall confidence and self-esteem
• Negligible risk of harsh side effects or complications
• Look, feel, and function like natural teeth

The Dental Implants Procedure 

The tooth implant process depends on your specific condition and goals. Your dental implant specialist will carefully examine your teeth, discuss your goals, review your medical history, and run diagnostic tests to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants. If you have signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental issues, the dentist will address those problems before performing dental implant surgery.

The dental implant surgery is performed as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. As such, you’ll be asleep throughout the procedure, or you’ll be awake but won’t feel any pain or discomfort. The dental implant specialist will drill a hole into the jawbone underneath the empty socket of your missing tooth. The titanium implant will be placed in the socket.

After a few weeks, once your gums have healed sufficiently, the dental implant specialist will attach an abutment to the implant. The dentist will also take impressions of your mouth to prepare the final dental restoration, which should take a few weeks. You can wear a temporary crown until the final, permanent crown or bridge is prepared. Once your jawbone tissues have healed completely, the dentist will attach the dental crown to the abutment.

The entire tooth implant process may take several months, but each session concludes within an hour. Furthermore, most of the work happens in the background without your conscious awareness or active involvement.