Dental implants are the most natural-looking and natural-feeling replacement for missing teeth. Unlike other tooth replacement options, implants do not slip or click when you talk, laugh, or eat. They also assist in maintaining a healthy jawbone. Dental implants provide a comfortable, long-term solution if you have missing or failing teeth or chronic dental issues. An implant is an advanced artificial tooth root made up of three parts–the implant, abutment, and crown (i.e., replacement tooth) that serve as a permanent and secure base for prosthetic teeth. Dental implants live beneath the gum, while the prosthetic tooth sits on top. Because of this, they look, feel, and function just like natural teeth, which is why they are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
Dental implant treatment is the most effective method for restoring gaps due to missing teeth. When you have a tooth extracted, your best form of replacement would be a dental implant. Although often, a bone graft is needed to help form better bone growth around the dental implant. Usually, the healing time after a tooth extraction is 3 to 6 months. This time allows the area to heal fully. Immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone is possible but represents one of the biggest challenges in dentistry. Without adequate patient selection, treatment planning, and setting realistic patient expectations, immediate implant placement and restoration can easily lead to esthetic and biological failures. If you have good bone and gum structure and good dental health, tooth extraction, and immediate implants can be done in one visit. It’s a less invasive surgery that can save around three months of healing. If you have a tooth extracted and an implant on the same day, you won’t have to wait for the extraction site to heal before the next step.
Dental implant process for missing tooth:
- When you are ready for dental implant surgery, the needed areas will be given local anesthesia to numb your mouth. The implant is inserted into the bone.
- The healing process of the bone. While the dental implant integrates into the gums and jawbone over the following months, a temporary cover will be placed over the implants.
- When we ensure that the implant is integrated into the bone, you are ready for the final restoration when a ceramic crown is placed, which replaces the natural tooth.
You must know beforehand of the entire dental implant process and timeline, the expertise of the dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist, the different materials such as metal-free ceramic or zirconium implants, or titanium (and how each can affect esthetics, your oral and overall health), the pain level and recovery, and the cost for the restorative materials including crowns and possible bone grafts and the separate cost of the dental implant surgical procedure. Considering how expensive dental implants can be, understanding these things will help you to determine if dental implants are appropriate for your needs.
If you think a dental implant might be right for you, give us a call today to schedule a consultation. Avalon Dental Center provides world-class dental care at a reasonable cost. For more information about dental implants, please call our office at (866) 734-3374 or contact us online.
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