We are living longer than ever, and while brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist have allowed many of us to maintain our natural smiles, sometimes some of our teeth just have not been able to keep up. If you have lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can restore both your smile and your oral health.
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed into your jawbone. This then serves as a tooth root. Titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees) is a material that has proven biocompatibility and is ideal in pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to this post. The tooth can either be permanently attached or be made removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
The following are the typical steps in the dental implant process:
Initial Consultation:
Dr. Byun will review your medical history and your oral health and determine if you are a candidate for a dental implant.
Placement of the Dental Implant:
Using local anesthetic you will be completely numbed and an incision will be made and bone will be removed in order to thread a dental implant into your jaw. Over the next few months the bone and the implant will fuse together to form a solid connection.
Placement of the Crown over the Implant:
Once it is confirmed that the implant and the bone have fused it is time to take an impression. The dental laboratory will fabricate a custom tooth (or teeth) that will typically be delivered two weeks after this appointment.
Post Treatment Care:
For the most part your new implant supported teeth can be treated the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular check ups. Just like natural teeth, the better you take care of your implant teeth the longer they will last.