When Are Dental Implants Used?
Dental Implants are not only used to replace one or multiple missing teeth but they can also be used to support a denture or a bridge, and also to prevent bone loss. Due to absence of teeth in your mouth one may find it more difficult to eat, dental implants will recover teeth’s natural function. Dental implants are also used for aesthetic purposes, to boost your confidence, by bringing back the natural appearance of your teeth.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a man made permanent replacement of a tooth that is missing. The implant is surgically anchored into the bone of the jaw where the missing tooth once was. Dental implants are made of two portions, a titanium screw (the part of the implant that is screwed into the bone acting as the root of a natural tooth) and the crown portion (the part of the tooth which is visible in your mouth).
Dental Implants Procedure
A dental implant requires 4 visits to the dentist.
- A consultation with the dentist to determine weather an implant is a good choice for you and if it can be done. It is also important for the dentist to explain the procedure and inform you of what you may expect during and after the surgery.
- The surgical procedure of the implant.
- A follow up visit to make sure that the implant is adapting well.
- Another follow up visit a month or so later to confirm that everything is as it should be.
Because it is easy for plaque to build around an implant, recall visits are extremely important to ensure long-term success of the implant(s).