Implant Restoration Losing a single tooth or several teeth can be devastating. The effect remains the same whether you lose them through extraction, gum disease, accidents, or trauma. You will have a feeling of incompleteness, considering that teeth are a part of your smile and overall appearance. Luckily enough, there are dental solutions that work to replace lost teeth. At Durham Prosthodontics, we are equipped to address tooth loss in different ways. We tailor our teeth replacement procedures to your specific needs, as every patient is different. Traditional dentures and bridges are one way to replace teeth. However, these procedures allow only the upper part of the teeth, devoid of the roots, to be replaced. You can restore your missing teeth by replacing the roots and the crowns through dental implants. They are an alternative to dentures and bridges. The Process of Getting Dental ImplantsGetting dental implants is an involved process that includes dental surgery. It is done by the use of small metal posts. An oral surgeon cuts the gum tissue to create enough space for the jawbone to be uncovered. Holes are then made in the jawbone, whereby the screw-like metal posts will be fastened deep into the holes to the tooth root position. The implant is left to bond with the bone during the healing time. After a few months, the bone will have completely healed and the metal firmly in place, just like a natural root. The next step will involve less surgery. The healed gums will be opened up again to expose the metal implant. Another metal frame will be fitted on the implant as an abutment to hold the artificial crown that will act as the natural tooth. To avoid this second minor surgery, a dentist may have the abutment fixed when the root metal is first implanted into the jawbone. Most people don't prefer this, as it will remain protruded there during the healing time. The time taken for the bone to heal is lengthy. During this time, temporary dentures will be provided to cover up the gap and protect the implant site. After complete healing, the artificial crowns are fixed permanently, or you could receive implant-supported dentures. Candidates for Dental ImplantsCertain conditions can make you unfit for dental implants. To be on the safe side, a medical exam has to be conducted prior to any treatment. First, the mass of your jawbone will be taken into consideration. If it's not dense enough to build a base for the implant, grafting will be done to add bone. Your past medical records have to be assessed to check if you have other medical conditions that may affect the healing process. Images of your teeth will be made from x-rays and 3D scans during this evaluation process, which helps determine how healthy the bone is. Call (984) 312-7056 to book an appointment with us. We will take you through every step of the implant restoration process so you know what to expect. Our oral surgeon at Durham Prosthodontics will answer any concerns regarding dental implants. |
Contact Information3709 University Dr Suite D Durham, NC 27707-6224 (984) 312-7056 info@mydurhamdentist.com Follow Us |
