How do Dental Implants Work? Sink Your Teeth Into This 4-Step GuideMay 10, 2018 / byHealthier Societies / Categories : Dental
As you grow, your teeth mature with you. You may have learned about how milk teeth or children’s teeth can re-grow into permanent adult teeth once lost. The latter, however, won’t grow back once you lose it.
This necessitates good dental hygiene on your part such as brushing and flossing your teeth, so tooth decay won’t ruin them.
In case you lose an adult tooth, you don’t have to worry about it. A new technology called dental implants can replace it, and here’s how it works.
1. Bonding with the bone
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry would describe dental implants as something like artificial tooth roots shaped like screws. Once the dentist puts the implants in your mouth, they bond with the jawbone and become a sturdy base for artificial teeth called crowns.
However, the jawbone should be strong enough to support the dental implant.
2. Connecting the implant to crown
Once dentists are certain that your jawbone is strong enough for the dental implant procedure, they place a connector called an “abutment” on top of the dental implant. This will support the crown or artificial tooth fitted with the dental implant.
They should connect firmly so that they will feel as natural as possible.
3. Fitting the crown
After this, your dentist creates a custom-made crown to fit inside and match with the rest of your teeth. They will either screw or cement this crown onto the dental implant. To enhance this fitting further, the dentist may apply a restorative tooth material called “composite” on top of the cemented crown.
4. Restoring tooth function and your confidence
The process is complete, and you are required to go back after six months for a dental check-up. At this point, it’s important to care for the newly restored tooth as if it was a natural one.
With the tooth restored, so is your confidence.