All about Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most popular dental restorations. They are often the first suggestion made by dentists to patients looking to get a missing tooth replaced. They are widely referred to as the strongest restorations, owing to the materials used to fabricate them. Implants are the closest alternatives to natural teeth due to all the benefits that they offer.

The physical appearance of a dental implant

An implant stud strikingly resembles a screw due to the grooves present on its shaft. These grooves do the job of holding the implant stud firmly in place and keep it from getting displaced. It is most often made from strong and durable metal, such as titanium, to ensure longevity and minimal wear. A connecting element called the abutment is placed on the implant to make it easier to attach the crown in place. The crown itself would be made from dental-grade ceramic, which can be customized as required to match the appearance of the natural teeth in terms of color, texture, contour, and size. Anyone who looks at the prosthetic tooth wouldn’t even have the faintest idea that it isn’t a real tooth.

Why should you choose implants?

Strength: Perhaps, the best and most desired feature of an implant is its strength. It is undoubtedly stronger than its alternatives, namely dental bridges and dentures, thanks to the materials used to fabricate it.

Durability: The metal implant stud stays under the gum line and is embedded in the bone. But, the crown would come in contact with the food you bite and chew. However, its amazing durability keeps it from undergoing wear.

Resistant to staining: Ceramic used to make the implant crown doesn’t retain the coloring particles from the food you eat. It would be resistant to stains and discoloring, allowing the crown to remain as good as new for a long time.

Better jawbone health: The underlying jawbone could shrink or deteriorate when a natural tooth is extracted. The adjoining teeth could also drift from their ideal positions towards the gap left by the missing tooth. But, placing an implant in the socket prevents this and ensures better bone health, and allows it to heal.

Excellent appearance: Since the crown is highly customizable, it can be fabricated to look exactly like a real tooth. It allows you to smile and talk with confidence.

Longevity: The implant will last for several years without any hassle, provided you take good care of it and avoid unhealthy oral habits.

How is the procedure conducted?

The procedure for getting a dental implant will be spanned across a few months and would include multiple dental visits. During the initial consultation, x-rays and scans of the mouth will be taken to give us a better understanding of the jawbone size, volume, spacing available for placing the implant, etc. Also, your overall health will be diagnosed to determine your candidacy for implants.

Next, the scans will be sent to a dental laboratory, where they will be used as a reference for fabricating the ceramic crown. During the implantation surgery, local anesthesia will be administered to prevent pain and discomfort. A hole will be made in the jawbone, and the implant stud will be inserted in it. Once it is secured firmly using dental cement, a healing period of a few months will be suggested to allow the bone to fuse with the implant.

After the healing period is completed, a second surgery will be carried out to place the abutment on the implant. Further, the crown will be placed on the abutment and checked for fit and alignment before permanently bonding it in place using adhesives. It will be polished to enhance its aesthetics.

Please feel free to reach out to us on call or by scheduling an online appointment, and we’ll be happy to assist you further.