Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
When to Speak to your Dentist about Missing Teeth
January 27, 2015Dental Implant Procedure
February 3, 2015A dental implant is a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. Opting to get a dental implant instead of the less invasive crown or bridge might seem like a scary decision. However, with the right dental care provider and knowledge, you can understand what this choice will mean for you and the future of your mouth.
What is a Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth and root that replaces any missing teeth you may have. This is the most advanced and costly method of replacing a tooth, but also the most beneficial. With your natural teeth, the roots stimulate the jaw bone when you chew, preventing bone loss. Without this stimulation, your jaw bone will lose mass overtime. This can lead to difficulty in the future for your remaining teeth and with any denture wear you may require when you are older. The dental implant will not only delay and slow this bone loss, but it also looks and feels just like your natural teeth.
The Anatomy of a Dental Implant
Dental implants typically have three parts, although some implants may only consist of two parts. The traditional implant includes the root part of the implant, the abutment which holds the crown onto the implant, and the crown itself. The root portion of the implant is typically made of surgical-grade titanium alloy. This material is compatible with your jaw bone and will fuse with the bone for extra strength and stability. The next part of the dental implant is the abutment. This is typically placed after your dental care provider is pleased with your healing. With two part implants, the abutment and the root are already fused together. The final piece of the dental implant is the crown. This is the portion that will be visible and matched to your existing teeth.
Once the implant is in place and healed, it will look and function just like a normal tooth. It will be very difficult for anyone to tell that you have an implant.