Whether you have one missing tooth or several due to tooth decay, gum disease or an injury, dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for. With a comfortable feel and natural look, here’s everything you need to know about artificial replacement teeth and why it may be right for you.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are made up of three separate components: the implant itself, which is a titanium metal screw that’s inserted into the jawbone by a dental professional; the crown, which is usually made of ceramic or porcelain to act as the artificial tooth replacement; and the abutment, which is the connecting piece for the crown to be screwed into the implant. The implant is the anchor that holds the crown securely in the mouth for years to come.
The Ideal Patient?
Individuals who are in good overall health, with strong gums and decent bone density in their jaw are ideal candidates for getting dental implants. If you have a shrunken jaw that never developed properly, then you can get a bone graft to build the bone density necessary for a successful dental implant procedure.
The Procedure
After a careful examination by your dentist and a few x-rays, they’ll determine whether or not dental implants are the right solution for replacing your missing teeth. Once they’ve decided to move forward with the procedure, they’ll numb your mouth before pulling back your gums and drilling into your jawbone. The implant is screwed directly into the bone for a secure fit. Before getting the crown attachment, the site needs months to heal while the implant bonds to the bone and gum.
Once everything has healed, your dental professional will call you back in to have the abutment inserted into the implant. The crown is then connected to the abutment, having been custom made to properly fit into your mouth. If you have multiple teeth in a row that need to be replaced, then a dental bridge is inserted along the area. This bridge allows for a more secure fit into the implants without having to drill individual holes for each replacement tooth.
Caring for Dental Implants
Once the procedure is finished and your mouth has healed, your implants will look and feel like natural teeth. As such, they’ll need to be cleaned as you would do with natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. Your dentist will show you the best techniques to keep your implants clean, and you’ll need to schedule regular checkups to ensure that no implants have loosened.
Since 1995, KR Dental Clinic has had a highly trained and compassionate team of dentists and dental hygienists who have your best oral health in mind as they treat various issues. Located in Oshawa, Ontario, we offer emergency dentistry, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, ceramic restorations, dentures, dental implants, dentistry for kids and much more. We’re happy to serve our community seven days a week, so be sure to call us today to book an appointment or go online at https://krdental.com/ for more