When a tooth needs replacing, there are several options to fill the gap, including dental implants. Dental implants are the most natural-feeling tooth replacement option because the dental implant is placed in the jawbone similar to a natural tooth root. There is no external wiring or plates to a dental implant. My Dentist Friend offers dental implants for those looking to have the most reliable and aesthetically-pleasing synthetic tooth available.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
An initial appointment is used to assess the tooth that needs replacing, as well as the viability of the jawbone to hold the dental implant. The jawbone must be dense enough to support a dental implant. Otherwise, a bone graft will have to be placed, which can delay the surgery for six to twelve months. After the tooth has been successfully removed, our Dentists will take measurements of the site and send them to the dental lab.The dental lab will make a synthetic tooth – custom-fit – in order for it to sit comfortably in the patient’s oral cavity. A hole will be drilled into the jaw, and the implant will be placed. This will then need to heal and bind to the surrounding jaw before the crown can be placed. Our Dentists will place a temporary crown during the healing period. The appointment should take 1-2 hours, but the fusing of the implant to the jawbone will take 3 to 6 months. Once the implant has fused successfully, the patient will return to have the abutment and crown placed. The abutment is a connector between the implant and the crown. The crown will be made from porcelain to closely replicate the look and feel of a natural tooth. The process for a dental implant may seem long, but dental implants are meant to be a permanent tooth replacement. A dental implant should last over 25 years when the patient exercises good oral health such as brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
Why Should I Have a Dental Implant?
Dental implants look and feel similar to normal teeth if you receive a tooth extraction. The dental implant does not feel alien in the mouth, like appliances such as dentures can. And the dental implant does not look obvious when the patient smiles or talks. Dental implants also last much longer than other restorative procedures, such as dental bridges or dentures. This will lead to less re-working and adjustments in the future. Dental bridges also require the shaping and filing down of adjacent teeth, whereas dental implants do not. A patient can have multiple dental implants fitted in the mouth, and there is no difficulty fitting them on the end of dental arches.
My Dentist Friend offers dental implants and will try to make the process as hassle-free as possible. Our team can perform multiple procedures in one appointment, to reduce the amount of times you have to come into our office. Call our office now at 856-484-4114 to see how a dental implant could benefit you.