If you miss one or more teeth, it’s time to consider how to get a replacement. Dental implantation is one option. Dental implants provide a more permanent solution to tooth loss than some more traditional options like dentures. What more should you know about how dental implants work?
What Are Dental Implants?
They are posts that a dental surgeon embeds into the jawbone. The post will eventually attach to a crown, or prosthetic tooth, to replace the missing one. These implants offer a natural appearance and are a practical choice if you lose just one tooth.
The purpose of dental implants is to provide a permanent replacement, too. Since the surgeon embeds that post into the jawbone, you don’t take the replacement tooth out. You brush your teeth the way you always do, even though one or more of them isn’t real.
Compare that to caring for a dental bridge or dentures. You take those out to clean them and to sleep.
What Is Necessary for Dental Implants?
The posts are just one part of the dental implant services. You will need:
- The dental post — Which is usually made of titanium
- The abutment — This attaches to the post and then connects to a crown.
- The dental crown — A dental crown is a custom-made replacement tooth that connects to the abutment.
The process can take up to a year to complete. The post goes into the jawbone first. New bone grows around the metal to secure it.
Once the post is stable in the jaw, the dentist attaches the abutment. Some abutments screw onto the post. They can also attach with dental glue. The dentist may choose to put a temporary crown or a cap onto the abutment to allow the gum time to heal.
Finally, the permanent crown goes on top of the abutment. The crown is custom-made in a lab using data provided by the dentist. That means it fits your mouth correctly.
Do Dental Implants Stay in Place?
By design, they should be permanent. The success rate of dental implants is impressive, too. If they fail, it might be necessary to replace them.
The dentist assesses the patient to ensure they are a suitable candidate for the implants. To qualify, you must otherwise have healthy teeth and gums. You must also have a strong jawbone. Dental problems can erode the bone in the jaw, making the implant unstable.
Some patients get bone graphs to shore up the jaw to support the post. The dentist can tell you if you are a candidate for the implant during your first visit.
Find the Dental Implants You Need at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi
If you have one or more teeth missing and live in the Corpus Christi area, you might be a candidate for our dental implant services. The function of dental implants is to provide a permanent replacement, but you won’t know if it is right for you until you get an assessment.
Lovett Dental Corpus Christi is a multidisciplinary dental practice that includes:
We have some of the top cosmetic dentists in the state in our practice, along with a maxillofacial surgeon who can embed the post. That means we are your one-stop-shop for dental implants in Corpus Christi.
Lovett Dental Corpus Christi offers services for the entire family whether you need a dental cleaning, wisdom teeth removed, or dental implants. Still wondering if dental implants are right for you? Give us a call at 361-986-1117 or fill out our online contact form to find out. Our staff can make an appointment for you to find out.
