Patients who lose a tooth have an option to replace it with dental implantation. This process of inserting one or more dental implants is a lifelong solution for a lost tooth. Plus, the implant has the same form and function as the other teeth. Therefore, no one needs to know about the prosthetic in place of a natural tooth.
What Are Dental Implants?
The purpose of dental implants is to provide a replacement for natural teeth. These replacements anchor into the jawbone. Therefore, they don’t fall out or come loose, even when speaking or eating foods like apples or steak.
To ensure the longevity and performance of the implants, each one has three main parts. First, the screw serves as the base and holds tightly onto the jawbone. After placement, the bone material in the jaw will regenerate to make the screw a permanent anchor that cannot be removed.
Second, the abutment goes atop the screw. This part of the implant holds on to the prosthetic tooth, also called a crown, above. For some patients, the abutment may accommodate dentures or bridges.
Last, the crown fits onto the abutment. This piece differs from other dental crowns because it replaces the entire tooth instead of covering a part of an existing tooth. Patients who have dentures that use the implants for anchors will have their dentures or bridge on top of the abutments of several implants. For instance, All-on-Four dentures permanently attach to between four and six implants. Snap-on bridges or dentures are removable options that attach to two or more implants.
Why Would a Patient Need Dental Implant Services?
Patients may need dental implant services for several reasons. They may want to have permanent dentures anchored by implants. Alternatively, they could opt for snap-in overdentures or bridges. Lastly, they may need to replace a lost tooth.
Ideally, if a patient loses one or more teeth, they will get implants soon after. The longer they have a space in their smile, the more the bone in the jaw wears away. If the bone at the implant site is too thin, the dentist may need to graft new bone to the area before putting it in the implants. Therefore, for those who need extractions and a dental implant, getting the two services done with as little time as possible between them reduces the need for a bone graft.
What Is the Process for Getting Dental Implants?
The process of getting dental implants begins when the patient has a consultation with their dentist. The dentist determines if the purpose of dental implants will match the needs of the patient. Plus, the dental professional will determine any additional preparation the patient needs before starting the process.
After this consultation, the following procedures occur during the implant process:
- The initial surgery to implant the screw
- A two-week healing time from the surgery
- 10 to 12 weeks of waiting for bone growth around the screw
- Creation of the new crown or dentures at a lab
- Surgery to add the abutment and crown or install permanent dentures
Patients may experience slight modifications of the standard timeline depending on their reasons for dental implants and their dental needs.
Benefits of Dental Implant Services
The function of dental implants as a permanent replacement for a tooth offers patients benefits for life. These include a tooth that looks and feels like a normal tooth. The implant also is just as strong and fixed into place as a normal tooth. Therefore, patients don’t need to change their diet. They can continue to eat foods that require dental strength, such as whole apples and other healthy foods.
Cleaning of implants is simple. Patients can brush their new crown the same as their other teeth. Plus, they should continue to follow regular preventative dental care services with their dentist twice a year to keep their smile healthy.
Lastly, the function of dental implants makes them versatile as anchors for single teeth, snap-in bridges, or permanent dentures. Anyone interested in having these fixtures should schedule a consultation with their dentist.
Discover How Lovett Dental Conroe Provides Dental Implant Services and More
Patients who want to find a dental implant provider in Conroe, Texas, can connect with us at Lovett Dental Conroe. Reach out through our contact form or contact us by phone at 936-760-2400. We have dental surgeons, general dentists, and many other specialists on staff to provide our patients with the largest range of dental care possible, including dental implants and other cosmetic dental services. Find out more about how we help our patients to smile by contacting us at Lovett Dental Conroe.