Tooth loss can have a far-reaching effect in your dental health and personal appearance. When you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth can drift out of position. This can lead to a change in your bite, the loss of additional teeth, and gum disease.

Implants are a great way to replace teeth that are missing as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, or an accident. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They are very strong, so you do not have to worry about them breaking. They do not decay or get periodontal disease. Since they are placed between other teeth, it is not necessary to grind down teeth, as in preparation for a bridge. Many people have been suffering with missing teeth and dentures for a long time. Implants can make for a better lifestyle. There are different design possibilities to help you regain your function, support, and cosmetics.

 Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone. Because dental implants are rooted into actual bone and gum tissue, they are much sturdier and function more naturally than dentures and other partial restorations. After the dental implant is placed, a period of integration lasting several months is required to allow the jawbone and gums to heal around the artificial root. Once a patient has sufficiently healed, an aesthetic dental crown is used to cap the dental implant. Patients who do not have sufficient bone growth to hold the dental implant in place may undergo a bone graft. Bone grafting utilizes bone from other parts of the patient’s body or artificial bone to provide sufficient bone structure.  

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Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are better than other alternatives like bridges because no additional teeth need to be altered to place the new tooth. 

The entire implant process is performed over the course of a few months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured. 

The implant must be allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time you can have temporary crowns installed so that you can eat and speak normally and maintain a proper aesthetic appearance for your smile. 

After the implant has healed it is time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. One this is placed an impression of the abutment is taken and is used to create your permanent restoration. Once the restoration is completed you can return to the office to attach the restoration permanently. If you would like to learn more about dental implants, contact Dr. Certner today.