What Is A Dental Implant?

by | Feb 23, 2018 | Dental Implants

Many patients are already familiar with tooth replacements such as dentures or bridges but need to become more familiar with dental implants. All In One Dental Innovations seeks to combat this lack of knowledge by offering expertise on dental implants and why implant dentistry can be the perfect permanent solution for achieving your dream smile. After reading this article, please visit our implant dentistry guide to learn more!

Why Would Implant Dentistry Be Necessary?

Dental implants can be great options for numerous reasons and are considered a popular treatment due to the long-term results they can offer instead of more temporary procedures. Those who have decayed, missing, chipped, or failing teeth are potential candidates for implant dentistry. Patients experiencing or at risk of gum disease are also candidates for dental implants.

Unhealthy teeth can dramatically influence the status of your other teeth and eventually alter the health of other areas of your body, so it’s vital to take immediate action by either removing the tooth or quickly improving the area of concern. If you’re missing teeth, that can majorly impact your self-confidence and ability to feel comfortable in public or even around close friends. Dental implants help to tackle this issue by acting as a perfect alternative to natural teeth while providing longer functionality if taken care of properly.

Although patients must take care to maintain their implants, they are fairly low-maintenance and resistant to common damages that natural teeth are more vulnerable to. Once the implant is installed, you will have to follow a regular hygiene routine and have follow-up appointments to monitor the ongoing health of the implant area. Failure to practice a daily hygiene routine won’t result in tooth decay like a natural tooth because of the materials from which the dental implant is made; however, your gums can become at risk for periodontal disease, and the finish of the implant may be compromised. Once the finish of the implant is worn away, the implant becomes susceptible to staining from products like wine, coffee, and other strongly acidic or pigmented beverages.

What Are Dental Implants Made From?

Implants must be made of durable, safe materials because they are meant to be long-lasting tools for tooth replacement. Dental implant components are also mainly crafted of materials compatible with the human body that present a natural-looking appearance.

All in One Dental Innovations can offer extended insight into the various components of a dental implant:

Dental implants typically have three parts:

1) The implant: A screw that acts as the new teeth’s root. This is the part that affixes to your jaw permanently.

2) The abutment: A permanent connection that retains and supports a tooth or group of teeth but which your doctor can remove.

3) The crown (or prosthetic tooth): This is the visible portion of the tooth. It is usually constructed of porcelain or zirconium for aesthetics and durability.

These three parts are specially designed to fit perfectly into your surrounding teeth and gums. They are also made of materials that are meant to last for long periods and that are safe when exposed to areas of bone or gum tissue. The screw part of the implant is especially composed of materials that promote the growth of the jawbone around it so that the implant will remain stable and in alignment. Artificial crowns can also be tinted to a chosen shade to match your other teeth and provide a natural look.

What’s The Dental Implant Procedure Like?

Depending on each patient’s health status, your doctor will provide you with an IV for oral sedation or local anesthesia. These tools help numb the area during the operation and prevent you from experiencing pain or discomfort during the surgery. If you are using anesthesia, you may be recommended to eat a healthy meal beforebefore surgery because eating soon afterward might bring discomfort. However, patients using the oral sedation method are encouraged not to eat or drink before their surgery. Some other pre-surgery recommendations are also advised, such as using antibiotics and a prescribed antibacterial mouthwash to ensure the patient is provided the doctor with a clean, healthy area to work with.

An incision is made along the gums where the implant is to be put to reveal the jawbone below once your mouth has been fully sedated. The bone will then be carefully drilled to create a space for the implant to fit into by tightly screwing the implant’s post to the jawbone. The abutment piece is then secured to the post of the implant, and the gums are resealed to begin their healing process. An impression will be made of the abutment and surrounding teeth to create a custom crown to fit comfortably on the implant above the gums. The crown will then be sealed to the rest of the implant and, after healing, should have the same appearance and functionality as a natural tooth.

There will be some discomfort after your surgery that will eventually diminish over time. If you experience ongoing pain or notice any negative changes, it’s extremely important to contact your doctor to schedule a consultation to prevent any infection from occurring.

Learn More! Contact Us Today!

Learn more today about the dental implant services that All In One Dental Innovations’ dentist in Dublin can provide you with by contacting us to schedule a consultation. We provide safe, durable, and affordable treatments that you definitely won’t want to miss out on! Call us at: (925) 828-9811. You can also request an appointment online today to speak to our friendly staff.

Related article: Are Dental Implants Covered By Insurance?