If you have a missing tooth, a dental implant and crown can be used as a replacement. The implant restoration replaces both the missing tooth and the root. This option is preferred over other tooth-replacement options because it looks and functions like a natural tooth, and it achieves that without compromising the health of the remaining teeth.
After a tooth is lost, the bone in the area is no longer receiving stimulation from the tooth’s root and gradually, the bone starts to deteriorate. It is possible to halt further bone breakdown by placing an implant to replace the lost tooth and restore the lost stimulation. This is especially crucial for the front set of teeth, where bone resorption is most likely to be noticed.
Also, the gap left by the missing tooth can allow nearby teeth to move or shift. When the teeth are out of alignment, the bite is affected negatively in a condition known as malocclusion. This can alter how the person chews, and affects the surrounding muscles and joints, causing issues such as recurrent headaches. It is harder to clean misaligned teeth, predisposing them to the risk of decay and gum disease. Dental implants can prevent healthy teeth from moving into the gap and provide stability for the bite while reducing excess pressure on remaining teeth.
The implant procedure involves the surgical insertion of a small titanium screw into the jawbone where the tooth was lost. Over three to five months, the implant and the bone will fuse to create a solid anchor for the tooth prosthesis. During this process (called osseointegration) the dentist will place a temporary tooth crown over the implant site until the final crown is placed.
After osseointegration is complete, the next process is often to uncover the implant and connect the abutment if it was not placed initially. The abutment will be the link between the implant post and the dental crown. The gum will be left to heal for some time after this process. Finally, the dentist will fabricate a porcelain dental crown for the patient, which will be fixed over the abutment. After cementing the crown permanently in place, the patient will have a restored dentition and all dental functions.
A missing tooth can affect oral health and self-confidence. The teeth should not be treated as single units, but as a team working together in harmony. Dental issues occur when the teeth are disjointed.
A dental implant can give you a natural-looking dental restoration that will fit in with the rest of the teeth. It is the only replacement option that does not only replace the crown, but also the root. This makes it the perfect choice to preserve jawbone volume and maintain oral health. If you are looking to replace a lost tooth, contact our office to book a consultation appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.michianafamilydental.com or call Michiana Family Dental at (574) 349-2073 for an appointment in our South Bend office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
An article by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare states that more than 18 million people wear partial dentures. Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and even their appearance is not alone. It helps to have the proper information beforehand, though. Partials are created from a wide variety of materials, each…
A fractured, chipped, or broken tooth occurs when patients have a crack in the tooth. Some cracks may appear small, but others may cause a break or split within the tooth structure. Most people can suffer a tooth break, but the most common demographics include children and older adults. To fix the tooth, some patients…
Denture adjustment is a necessary procedure that must be performed if your dentures no longer fit your mouth. Whether you have partial or complete dentures, these prompt your gums and soft tissues to adjust. Once the dentures have settled, they will also be likely to change over time. You may experience difficulty chewing or feel…
Using custom-fit plastic trays, Invisalign® treatments are a restorative and corrective treatment for several dental problems. As an orthodontic solution, clear aligners are often compared to a treatment using metal braces. Corrective measures typically address crooked or misaligned teeth, and provided the patient wears the trays for the prescribed length of time, the results are…
Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and…
When patients have broken teeth, they should receive dental care as soon as possible to…
Denture adjustment is a necessary procedure that must be performed if your dentures no longer…
Using custom-fit plastic trays, Invisalign® treatments are a restorative and corrective treatment for several dental…
If you want to know if you may need an emergency dental visit, here are…
People can benefit from visiting a family dentist regularly. This is crucial for the maintenance…