Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth. They are made of titanium and other materials and are anchored into the jaw bone. Dental implants can be engineered to blend in perfectly with your smile.
Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are preferred over other alternatives like bridges because it is not necessary to prepare or alter existing tooth structure to properly restore the missing tooth or space.
The entire implant process is performed over the course of a few months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a titanium fixture is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured.
The implant must be allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time you may have temporary crowns installed or a removable appliance fabricated to help achieve proper form and function . This is considered a transition period.
After the implant has healed it is time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. One this is placed an impression or copy of the abutment is taken and is used to fabricate your restoration. Once the restoration is completed you can return to the office to attach the restoration.