Dental Implants
External trauma to the mouth, severe decay of the teeth, oral diseases, etc. can lead to loss of teeth. When a natural tooth is lost, patients could find it difficult to bite and chew food, pronounce words, and most importantly, the aesthetics of the smile will alter significantly. Hence, we recommend our patients to get their missing teeth replaced with a prosthetic as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
What are the available options?
If patients prefer a simple restoration, the dentist may suggest a ceramic bridge. However, it is held in place by dental crowns on either side, making it less strong and stable. If the number of missing teeth is significantly more, the dentist may recommend prosthetic dentures. But, the go-to solution to replace a missing natural tooth is a dental implant. Dentists from all around the world agree that implants are the best and most long-lasting tooth restorations.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are metal studs inserted into the jawbone in place of the missing tooth. The metal stud has screw-like grooves on its surface, which allow it to stay firmly in place and also hold the surrounding jawbone. The visible tooth will be replaced by a ceramic crown made from a dental-grade material. It will be attached to the metal stud with the help of a connecting element called the abutment.
What are the advantages of implants?
- Implants offer excellent strength and durability. They wear only as much as the natural enamel.
- Since they are implanted into the jawbone, they are very stable and wouldn’t slip off or break while biting and chewing food.
- They last for several years without any hassle.
- Implants entirely fill the gap in the jawbone left by the missing tooth. This keeps the adjoining teeth from drifting towards the gap, which could lead to a bad bite.
- They restore oral functionality.
- The ceramic crown can be customized to mimic the exact appearance of the missing natural tooth. This keeps it under disguise.
What is the procedure?
The dentist will conduct a few tests and take x-rays of the mouth to check for various factors that affect the implantation process. The data collected will be used to determine your candidacy for the restoration. Once your candidacy is confirmed, the dentist will prepare you for the procedure.
Initially, digital scans of the mouth are taken to create a digital mold of the teeth. It will be shared with a dental laboratory for fabricating the implant crown. The implantation process is performed after the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb your teeth, gums, and jawbone. A small hole will be made in the bone, and the implant stud will be placed in it. It will be secured with dental cement, and a suitable healing period of a few months will be recommended.
After the wound heals fully, the dentist will prepare you for the second surgery. The abutment will be placed on the implant, and the crown will be placed on it. It is bonded firmly in place using dental adhesives. The dentist will check your bite to align the crown appropriately, and any changes modifications required will be made.
To have a consultation with our professional dentists in Herriman, UT, please schedule an online appointment or call us at (801) 542-0998, and we will be happy to help.
