Dental Implants
Missing Teeth?
The mouth is a complex biological system that changes as we grow older. If you lose a baby tooth when you’re young, it will be replaced when an adult tooth emerges and fills in the space. However, if you lose an adult tooth to trauma or decay, it will unfortunately not grow back.
In the past, there weren’t many options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. As modern implant dentistry has evolved, dental implants can now be used to fill in missing tooth space without having to make modifications to other teeth. If you’re considering dental implants, we would love discuss your tooth replacement options.
Reasons to Consider Dental Implants
- To replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Dental implants can sometimes resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- To restore a patient’s confident smile.
- To restore normal chewing, speech, and digestion.
- To restore or enhance facial tissues.
- To support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
- If you need to replace missing teeth or a single tooth, implants are a stable, fixed solution.
Anatomy of a Tooth Implant
Aside from restoring your chewing capability and enhancing your smile, one of the greatest benefits of a dental implant is that it replaces both your missing tooth and the root. A tooth implant can be explained as three basic components:
Dental Implant Post
This part of the tooth implant resembles a tiny screw. The dental implant post is made of titanium so it can integrate with your jawbone. For the dental implant procedure, the dental implant post is surgically placed and the patient is allowed several months to heal so the implant is stable before the dental implant crown is attached.
Abutment
After the tooth implant post has fused with the jawbone, we will attach a custom abutment to the post. The abutment is a small metal cap that connects the dental implant crown to the dental implant post.
Tooth Restoration
The tooth restoration is the dental implant crown that attaches to the post. The restoration is usually made of porcelain and is formed to match the color and shape of your surrounding teeth. Patients that are missing multiple teeth can choose to have an implant-supported dental bridge or dentures instead of multiple dental implant crowns.
Our Dental Implant Process
An initial consultation with Dr. Mahoney determines whether the patient’s health and dental history are optimal for the implantation process.
If you are determined to be a candidate for dental implants, we will use some of the most advanced dental technology available the most accurate placement of your dental implant. Using a 3D CT-imaging scanner, we are able to more accurately place the titanium screw needed for the implant. A local anesthetic and nitrous oxide (if desired) are used to ensure the comfort of the patient during the implantation process. In some cases, Dr. Mahoney might need to perform in-office bone grafting. Once the jaw bone has fully healed and formed around the screw, we will complete the restoration and attach the permanent crown to your dental implant post. For expert dental care, give us a call and schedule an appointment. Reach out to our office by calling 574-272-0466 at your earliest convenience!