Dental implants

Dental implant PRocess

If you are missing a tooth and are in need of a replacement a dental implant is the most functional option available. Other options involve something that comes in and out of the mouth and isn’t fixed in place, or involve shaping the teeth next to the space. Dental implants are a stand alone solution that stays secured in place in your mouth and acts and chews like a natural tooth.

The basics of a dental implant are fairly simple. Dental implants consist of 3 basic parts: the implant body, abutment, and crown. Many times the abutment and crown are fused together by the laboratory and aren’t noticeable as separate parts, however the abutment is what allows us to screw the crown to the implant. The implant body itself is a titanium post that is placed in place of the tooth root. The placement of the implant body is the first step of the process. After the implant body has been placed the it is allowed to heal undisturbed for roughly three months.

Once the implant body has healed it is time for the impression for the crown. It usually takes 3-4 weeks to get the crown and abutment fabricated and shipped from the lab after the impression is made. At the final appointment the crown and connected abutment is screwed to the implant body. Often a patient will be asked to use the crown for a couple weeks prior to final torqueing and covering of access screw channel with composite filling material.

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