Do you have a gap in your smile? Then we could help with implant dentistry. But what makes these so lifelike and how do we support them? In today’s blog, your Syosset, NY, dentist will discuss what makes dental implants so different, and how we place them.
Planning Treatment and Preparing Your Smile
Unlike other prosthetic options, these will not be held in place with crowns, clasps, or suction. Instead, a biocompatible titanium post is inserted into the jawbone through oral surgery. The post bonds with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. To begin treatment, we will carefully examine your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can understand the cause and extent of your tooth loss. We may need to treat underlying oral health issues, such as gm disease, before we move forward. If any teeth are severely decayed or infected, or disease, we may need to extract them first. The images allow us to plan the placement and guide the posts into place.
The Implant Post
The post will look similar to a screw and will be placed into the jaw at a specific angle and position to ensure it can bond with the bone structure and act as a new tooth root. This means it can support a crown or prosthetic, and also last for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime. In comparison, most removable prosthetics or bridges can last about 5o to 10 years before replacement as necessary. Since this helps prevent the jawbone, this limits the risk of further tooth loss too.
Abutments and Dental Crowns/Prosthetics
Once we insert the post or posts into the smile, we will wait until the placement area heals before we move forward with the restoration. However, for some we can attach a prosthetic in the same visit. An abutment is added to the post that extends above the gum line. For a single missing tooth, we connect a custom-made and lifelike crown. For multiple missing teeth, a bridge or denture is connected to multiple posts and abutments. If you receive implant dentures, you have a prosthetic that won’t slip when you eat or drink, is capable of lasting for decades, and will also look natural and preserve the structure of your smile.
If you have missing teeth, then talk to our team about a possible solution. We could love to help rebuild your smile and improve the beauty and function of your smile.
Ready to Replace Your Missing Teeth?
Implant dentistry offers a durable and long-lasting option for addressing your lost teeth. If you have questions about treating your missing teeth with implant dentistry, then contact our Syosset, NY dental office today at 516-433-2211.
