What are dental implants, where can you get this dental restoration, and are you the best candidate for this option? If this is your first experience with implants, take a look at the what's, where's, and when's of these dental devices.
What Do You Need To Know About Implants?
Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. You don't need to lose a tooth naturally to get an implant. This restoration can fill a gap left after extraction. Severe decay is a common reason for this type of extraction.
Unlike dentures, you can't take this type of prosthetic out of your mouth. Instead, implants are titanium posts that fuse with your natural jaw bone (under the gum line). Known as the fixture, the titanium post takes the place of the tooth's root. Through a process called osseointegration, the bone grows around and into the fixture.
An abutment, or connector, fits on top of the fixture. This connects the root-like post to an above-the-gum prosthesis. The prosthesis is a porcelain or ceramic fake tooth or crown. The complete implant re-creates the natural tooth and should last for years. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry, the implant's length and diameter, jaw bone quality, and the area of your mouth can affect the lifespan of this dental restoration.
Where Do You Get An Implant?
Now that you know the steps necessary to get an implant, you may need to learn more about where you should go to start the process. Your regular dentist is the first stop. The dentist will assess your need for an implant and help you to understand what happens next.
Some general or family dentists will place implants. If your dentist provides this service, you can start the process as soon as an appointment opens. Again, the first step is to remove the infected or decayed tooth. Your dentist will need to schedule an extraction procedure before they can place the fixture.
If your dentist doesn't offer implant services, they may still provide extractions. This means you can start the process at your regular practice. Other dental professionals that can place implants include periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and cosmetic dentists.
When Should You Get An Implant?
Do you have a missing tooth or need an extraction? Provided you have enough bone to support the implant, this restoration is an option to seriously consider.
Again, cavities or decay may make it necessary to extract the tooth and place an implant. But dental decay won't always require an implant. If the decay is severe or the dentist can't fully restore the tooth with a filling or crown, an implant may make sense. For more information on dental implants, contact a professional near you.
Share31 May 2022
Do you have a different doctor from your spouse? Does your child see a pediatrician? Most families have different medical health providers for different members of the family. This makes sense in most cases, but did you know that you can find a dentist who will treat every person in the family from a baby to a senior? I'm a manager or a family dentist, and in this blog you will learn why a family dentist is a great idea. I will tell you the many advantages of taking every family member to the same dentist, and I will give you tips of finding the right dental office for your family.