DENTAL IMPLANTS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

One or more missing teeth can toss your bite out of proper alignment and affect the appearance and health of the smile. So, replacing them with an ideal tooth restoration option is essential. 

Out of all the several options available to replace missing or lost teeth, your Littleton, CO, dentist may recommend a dental implant procedure. The popularity of dental implants is because they serve as artificial tooth roots and are the closest restoration to natural teeth.

Dental Implants 

Dental implants are artificial, titanium tooth roots surgically inserted into the jawbone. The bone surrounding the implant grows and fuses with the implant through osseointegration, and the implant gets anchored to the bone. Once the site is healed, the dentist attaches the prosthesis to the implant using a metal connector to fill the gap.

• Endosteal

Endosteal implants are made of titanium and are surgically affixed deep into the jawbone, replacing lost tooth roots.

• Subperiosteal 

A subperiosteal implant is helpful when the patient's jawbone is not healthy enough to support placing an endosteal implant. They are placed under the gum above or on the bone but aren't drilled into the jawbone.

Dental Implant Surgery Process

Dental implant procedures require several steps that need around 3 to 9 months.

• Evaluation

The procedure starts with the dentist evaluating the patient's teeth, gums, and jawbone. This is done to analyze the patient's overall oral health condition and determine whether they have enough jawbone density to support the implant.

If the jawbone is not healthy, the Littleton, CO, dentist may recommend a bone graft procedure before starting the dental implant placement process. 

• Placing the implant

If you have an endosteal implant:

• An oral surgeon will make an incision on the gum to expose the jawbone underneath.
• Holes are drilled deep into the bone, and the implant post is inserted. 
• For aesthetic purposes, a temporary, removable denture can be placed until the permanent tooth is ready to be attached to the implant.

If you have a subperiosteal implant, the dentist will place the implant post on or above the bone without drilling the jawbone.

• Osseointegration

Once the implant is placed, the natural jawbone will strengthen and fuse with the implant. This process is known as osseointegration and typically takes around 2 to 6 months.

• Abutment placement

The next step is the placement of an abutment onto the implant to connect the artificial tooth.

• Placing the tooth

Once the gum is healed, an impression of the patient's teeth is obtained to fabricate the permanent replacement tooth, which will be cemented or screwed onto the abutment.

At Littleton, CO, Ken Caryl Dentistry offers dental implant services. Dial (303) 973-5280 schedule an appointment to visit the dentist and receive a complete dental checkup.