Dental Implants

Benefits Of Dental Implants

Dental implants, also commonly called teeth implants, are artificial tooth replacements for the root of a tooth. This prosthetic screws into the jawbone beneath the gums and supports an artificial tooth, such as a dental crown, above the gumline. When considering your options for tooth replacement, an implant offers numerous advantages over other solutions, as they offer natural-looking and natural-feeling replacement for a missing tooth that lasts for many years and restores oral health, function, and appearance. Considering a dental implant for our Lilburn dentist? Consider these dental implant benefits!

What Are Dental Implants Made From?

There are several types of dental implant materials available. The vast majority of dental implants, however, are made from titanium, which is a durable, body-safe material, or a combination of titanium and zirconium, which is another highly durable material. These materials can be easily modified by your dentist during the tooth implant process to match your surrounding teeth for a natural-looking appearance.

Additionally, the durability of these materials provides patients with complete functional use of their new smile with complete comfort and stunning aesthetics. Our dentists at Smile Pleasant Hill are highly trained in all aspects of dentistry for the benefit of our patients and their oral health. Our dentists regularly place and restore single dental implants and full-arch replacements affixed with dental implants using the highest-quality dental implants available. Contact us today to book your dental treatment.

Common Reasons For A Dental Implant

Dental implants are surgically placed in a patient’s mouth in order to serve as the roots of missing teeth. The titanium within the implant fuses to the jawbone, so the implant will not slip or cause bone damage, and the materials used to make the implant will not decay like natural teeth might. The best way to ensure dental implants are right for your oral needs and that you meet the requirements for dental implants is to schedule an appointment with our dental team. In general, dental implants may be the right choice for you if you:

Your Dental Implant Procedure

Your Evaluation For Dental Implantation

Before we proceed with the implant procedure, our dentist will first assess your candidacy for the procedure, considering factors such as tooth decay, gum disease, the condition of your jawbone tissue, your oral and general health requirements, and other factors. A critical part of the initial assessment will be determining if you have an adequate healthy jawbone to support and maintain the implant. If your jawbone is too soft, thin, or in poor health, your dentist may recommend a bone graft dental implant procedure before placing your implant. Additionally, your gums must be in good condition and free from disease. Dental implant treatment is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and may be performed under local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Your dental specialist will discuss the different options for anesthesia and select the best option for your needs.

Your Dental Implant Placement

For patients undergoing an implant procedure with an endosteal implant, their provider will begin the procedure by cutting the gum tissue in order to expose the jawbone underneath. Then, they will place holes into the bone where the implant will be. Based on your own specific health and needs, the process of restoring the implant may be done at a later date. This is to ensure that the implant has integrated properly with the bone for a successful outcome.

The Abutment Placement

An abutment is an extender made from metal that connects the replacement tooth to the implant. It is commonly added to the implant either during the initial procedure when the implant is placed or during a minor, secondary procedure under local anesthesia. If you receive an abutment during a second procedure and your gum tissue has already grown over the implant, your doctor may have to make an incision over the implant in order to place the abutment. Following the abutment placement, your gums will take multiple weeks to heal.

Placement Of The New Tooth

Once your gums are sufficiently healed, your dentist will then take an impression of your teeth in order to customize your new tooth or teeth to fit perfectly with your surrounding teeth. You may choose a removable replacement tooth or a permanent replacement tooth. If you choose a removable replacement tooth, the tooth will be connected to a metal frame that is attached to the implant abutment. Removable replacement teeth can be taken out of the mouth each day for cleaning.

If you choose a fixed, permanent replacement tooth, the tooth will be cemented or screwed onto the abutment. Once this process is complete, now begins the final stages of healing. If you experience prolonged discomfort, severe pain, bleeding, uneven bite, an uncomfortable bite, or severe swelling, please inform your dentist. Following your procedure, your new teeth will appear and feel natural. Your new implants must be cared for in the same way as your natural teeth: with daily flossing and brushing and regular checkups with your dentist.