What is a dental implant?
Your dentist can surgically place dental implants into the jawbone as part of the process to replace a missing tooth. When paired with a tooth replacement such as a crown, dental implants can have a similar appearance and function to a natural tooth.
Dental implants can help treat a variety of oral health issues, help resolve bite issues and jaw joint pain, prevent surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap, and preserve the aesthetic appearance and tissue in a patient's facial area.
1. Fixture
Also referred to as the fixture, the implant itself is usually made with titanium and surgically placed beneath the gums.
Shaped like a screw, the permanent implant will be placed in the jawbone after the surgeon drills a small hole to replace the roots of the missing tooth. As the tissue heals, the fixture bonds to the jawbone in a process referred to as osseointegration, which allows the implant to permanently sit in your mouth.
Titanium is usually used since it's known to be well-accepted by the human body. Using proper materials increases the chance that osseointegration and other parts of the process will go smoothly. This material will help reduce the risk of corrosion and other complications.
2. Abutment
An extender is attached to the false tooth since the implant itself is placed entirely beneath the gumline. Called the abutment, this short screw extends at or directly over the gum line to support the tooth replacement.
The abutment can be constructed from a tooth-coloured material or metal and is usually attached after osseointegration has occurred. That said, sometimes a dentist will place a fixture, abutment and temporary restoration at the same time.
3. Tooth Replacement
Three to six months after your surgery, you'll return to your dentist's office so the tooth replacement (a crown, bridge, or denture) can be attached. The replacement (or prosthesis) will look and function similarly to your natural teeth and can be made from porcelain, ceramic, or other materials.
Your tooth replacement and the dental implant as a whole will work like a natural tooth and roots, which means you can chew and speak as you normally would.
How Replacing Missing Teeth Can Preserve Your Oral Health
Whichever tooth replacement option you and your dentist decide upon, it's important to have missing teeth replaced as soon as possible to prevent deterioration in the jaw and gum tissues. If deterioration occurs, this can lead to further complications for your oral and overall health and teeth surrounding the gap can shift out of position, which may lead to bite issues and uneven teeth.
At Access Dental, we're here to help diagnose any oral health issues you may have, and develop an appropriate treatment plan. If you are missing teeth or are experiencing other issues with your oral health, book a dental appointment for an examination and/or cleaning.