This week, we’d like to help you understand a bit more about dental implants — the best option in tooth replacement currently available. Nothing else gives you back your missing tooth root as well as the crown that sits on top like a dental implant, and that’s why it’s a truly comprehensive option for completing your smile after tooth loss. Keep reading to learn more about dental implants in Bonita Springs FL from the team at Pelican Landing Dental.
What Is a Dental Implant?
You can think of a dental implant sort of like a tiny, titanium screw. The device is inserted directly into the space left by each missing tooth, and it acts as a prosthetic root for the new tooth replacement that is anchored securely on top.
Over a period of six months, the titanium post will become one solid unit with your jawbone. The process, known as osseointegration, is what makes dental implants such an excellent tooth replacement option. After this solidification is complete, your dental implant is just as secure as your original tooth root.
What Are the Parts of a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is comprised of four parts: the implant, an abutment screw, an abutment and the crown.
- Implant: This is the titanium post that’s surgically implanted into the gum. It’s the crucial piece that provides the anchor or foundation for the new tooth restoration.
- Abutment screw: The small screw links the dental implant, which is fully covered by the gums, with the abutment.
- Abutment: The device that connects and stabilizes the dental implant with the new tooth replacement.
- Crown: The new tooth replacement that goes on top of the dental implant. This can be just one crown for single tooth loss, or full or partial dentures.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
There are a couple of considerations when it comes to determining whether or not dental implants are the right choice for a patient who has experienced tooth loss. Don’t make your own determination either way — schedule a consultation with your dentist to understand your best option in tooth replacement.
First, patients must have adequate bone structure for anchoring the dental implant. Tooth loss causes jawbone degeneration, so options like bone grafting may be necessary if a patient has gone too long with missing teeth.
Second, good oral and overall health is a requirement for dental implants. Patients with serious health conditions which prevent their eligibility for surgical procedures (like diabetes, leukemia or HIV/AIDS) should consider non-surgical options in tooth replacement. Additionally, those with advanced stages of gum disease are typically not good candidates for dental implants.
Contact Us Today!
If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants near Bonita Springs FL, or if you’ve got additional questions regarding how they work, please don’t hesitate to contact us. As always, you can get in touch with us online or call us at (239) 449-6104.
