Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants

A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food), and both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the root part of the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small titanium dental implant.

 

Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. Once initial healing has taken place, the bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for the eventual artificial implant-supported tooth. A one-piece custom made screw-retained crown in often made to fit onto your new implant. A support post (abutment) is another type of restoration that screws onto the implant, and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In some cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

dental-implant-illust-circle

Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. Once initial healing has taken place, the bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A one-piece custom made screw-retained crown in often made to fit onto your new implant. A support post (abutment) is another type of restoration that screws onto the implant, and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In some cases a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

Surgical Advances In Dental Implants

Dental implant placement can be a team effort between a specialist and a restorative dentist. Dr. Steven Williams or Dr. Harley Williams performs the initial tooth extractions with bone grafting, and the actual implant placement. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent final implant crown. Our office or your dentist can also make any temporary prosthesis wanted during the implant process.

smileman3

Don’t be afraid to Smile.

I was told by my dentist that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.