Dental Implants
Dental Implants
Personalized tooth replacement treatment
Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence. Designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.
How exactly do dental implants work?
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
The patient surgical procedure
Most dental implant procedures involve two main surgical stages over a period of about six to eight months. First, the implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they remain beneath the gums for three to six months to bond with the bone—a process called osseointegration.
During this healing phase, patients can usually wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet while the dentist prepares the replacement teeth.
Minimal disruption to daily life!
After the implants have integrated with the jawbone, a second minor surgery is performed to uncover the implants and attach small posts (abutments) that protrude through the gums.
These posts serve as anchors for the artificial teeth, which are later attached and will not be visible once the final teeth are placed. Most patients experience minimal disruption to daily life throughout the process.
Types Of Available Prosthesis
- A single prosthesis (crown) replaces one missing tooth; each crown attaches to its own implant.
- A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants.
- A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all teeth in the upper or lower jaw; the number of implants needed varies.
- A removable prosthesis (overdenture) attaches to a bar or ball-in-socket attachments.