Feeling self-conscious about a missing tooth leaving gaps in your smile? Struggling with eating and speaking in the wake of tooth loss? You could face these issues and increase your risk of further dental problems if you do not seek tooth replacement treatment from your dentist.
You can find highly beneficial and comprehensive restoration of your smile after tooth loss with dental implants. These fixtures provide reliable tooth replacement to restore aesthetics, function, and health for twenty years or longer.
Though the advantages of implant dentistry seem clear, you might feel more confident introducing these fixtures to your smile when you know more about them. Find details about each component that makes up a dental implant when you read on.
Implanted Anchor
Once you and your dentist determine implant dentistry is the right option to replace your missing teeth, the dentist will begin the treatment with oral surgery to place an anchor into the jaw. This titanium post will fuse with the jawbone while you heal from this procedure to establish a strong foundation for the rest of the implant.
Recovery from this part of the implant process can take several months. Make sure you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to ensure the fusion happens successfully.
Because the implant relies on this fusion, dentists consider the device to be a permanent tooth replacement solution. It will stay fixed in the mouth and can only be removed with help from a dentist. Many people look forward to this security in their appliances so that they do not have to worry about replacing their fixtures.
Abutment Piece
The dentist will attach an abutment to the top of the anchor at the gumline once you heal from the initial placement procedure. It is a connective piece that strengthens the link between the anchor and the prosthetic teeth.
This way, you can better perform oral functions without the stress of potentially harming your oral appliance. You can eat and speak with confidence, knowing the implant will not slip out of place at an inopportune moment like some removable tooth replacements can.
Dental Prosthetics
You will return to your dentist’s office after recovery from the anchor placement to receive dental prosthetics. Your dentist will provide you with a crown, bridge, or denture to restore your smile depending on your specific needs. They attach to the abutment to sit atop the gums.
Dentists build these prosthetic teeth on a custom basis for each patient. This ensures a beautiful finish that will look natural as well when it comes to size, shape, and color. They will also fit comfortably in the mouth so that they will not disrupt your bite.
The prosthetic teeth will resist decay as well as staining for long-lasting results. However, you will still need to take care of your smile for the implants to function as well as possible. Learn more about how to maintain your new implants when you give your dentist a call.