Living with tooth loss can be a real challenge for many patients. Just a single missing tooth can make eating difficult, cause a change in speech, and even lower self-esteem. Luckily, there are now modern solutions to replace a missing or falling tooth through the use of dental implants. These tooth replacements are often considered to be the gold standard as they restore both form and function to the smile and with proper care, can end up lasting a lifetime!
What Makes Up a Dental Implant?
Typical dental implants are made of three separate parts: an implant post, a dental crown, and an abutment to connect the two. The implant post is a biocompatible titanium post that looks similar to a small screw. It is surgically placed within your jaw bone and given time to fuse with existing bone. Once this has healed, it mimics the function of a natural tooth root, providing a firm foundation for the new tooth. The abutment piece is connected directly to the implant post, and sits above the gum line. This piece provides a foundation for the dental crown to be cemented onto. The crown itself is often made of porcelain material and designed to look and feel just like your original missing tooth. When in place, you’ll be able to use it just as normal and other people will never be able to tell that your tooth isn’t real!
The Surgical Process
Choosing the right dental team for your implant is important as this is a surgical procedure that requires skill and precision. At Desert Dental Group, our team of professionals have years of experience placing dental implants, and we even have oral surgeons on-staff in our multi-specialty office. The surgical process itself includes taking detailed x-rays and scans of your jaw so your doctor can better understand your oral structures, including bone volume, position of nerves, and locations of tooth roots. If you have any bone loss or gum disease, these conditions will need to be treated prior to the surgical step. When it comes time to actually place the implant, your doctor will put the post in an ideal location that will make the restoration look natural. Most patients are sedated for this step and only feel a slight pressure at the surgical site. After the surgery, your implant may take a few weeks to months to fully heal, but you will be prescribed pain medication and most patients feel back to normal after a few weeks.
The Benefits of a Dental Implant
- Permanent with proper care
- Looks and feels natural
- Restores full biting and chewing strength
- Preserves oral health and jaw bone
- Comfortable and natural functionality
You should never have to live with an incomplete smile! If you have missing teeth or teeth that will need to be replaced in the future, we recommend you schedule a consultation with our team today! We will explain our process to you in detail, answer any questions you may have, and help you find a solution that will make your smile dreams a reality! Get started now at our Victorville, CA office!
