Dental implants replace your missing tooth roots, which promotes jawbone health and prevents bone deterioration. It can also prevent the hollow appearance caused by missing teeth, a condition known as “tooth migration.”
Unlike other tooth replacement options, implant-supported restorations look and feel like natural teeth. They are long-lasting with regular oral hygiene and routine visits to the dentist.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike other tooth replacement treatments, dental implant restoration Fayetteville AR are embedded into the jaw bone where they integrate with living tissue in a process known as osseointegration. This ensures a secure and sturdy foundation for your implant-supported crown.
The procedure for placing an implant requires minimal downtime and is performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon may also prescribe antibiotics or for added comfort, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide. Prior to surgery, patients should discuss any health conditions or medications they take with their dentist as these can interfere with healing.
After an initial period of recovery, which can vary from person to person, the implant will fuse with the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. During this time, it is important to stick to a softer diet to avoid jeopardizing the success of this treatment. It is also crucial to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits and visit your dentist Fayetteville AR for regular cleanings and checkups.
Single Tooth Implants
One of the most common uses for dental implants is to replace a single tooth. They are an ideal solution for a missing tooth as they look and feel more natural than alternatives such as dentures. A custom-made artificial tooth called a crown is attached to the implant to complete the restoration. The dentist will make sure your new tooth matches your natural teeth in color, shape, and size for an aesthetic result.
The first step of a single-tooth implant involves placing the titanium screw into your jaw. The implant will then heal, which typically takes up to six months. A healing cap will be placed over the implant to help the gum tissue heal correctly. When the implant has healed, a connector piece known as an abutment will be screwed onto it to hold the new tooth.
Multiple Tooth Implants
Unlike other tooth-replacement options that require the sacrifice of healthy natural teeth, dental implants allow you to keep your existing teeth. However, you may experience swelling and discomfort in the surgical site. If necessary, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and apply ice packs.
Moreover, dental implant restoration Fayetteville AR do not need the support of healthy teeth that anchor fixed bridges or removable partial dentures. Consequently, the bone and gums can regenerate around the implant site, creating a natural-looking and long-lasting restoration.
We can also use implants to stabilize loose full or partial dentures and give you the confidence that they won’t slip out while chewing or speaking. During the placement procedure, we use local anesthesia or sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, we make a small incision in the gum tissue and peel back a flap to expose the jawbone beneath. We drill into the jawbone and insert an implant post to act as a tooth root. We attach a temporary healing cap or crown to the implant to protect it.
Implant-Supported Restorations
When you restore a single missing tooth with an implant-supported restoration, the whole anatomy of the tooth is restored from root to crown. This prevents the bone resorbtion that can occur with other tooth replacement solutions. It also guards against adjacent teeth shifting into the gap, a condition known as “tooth migration” that can lead to further problems with your oral health.
An oral surgeon will surgically implant the titanium tooth root into your jawbone during a brief procedure, and you’ll return to our office regularly for checkups and healing. After the implants fuse to your jawbone during a process called osseointegration, we’ll attach a metal anchoring device called an abutment.
We’ll then add the custom-crafted dental crown to complete your new tooth, and we’ll test it against your bite for occlusion and other factors. If everything is good to go, we’ll cement the crown onto your dental implant and you’ll be ready to enjoy your life with a complete smile.
