Dental implants are replacements for missing teeth. The dental implant’s design depends on the shape, structure and size of the natural tooth to be replaced. There are two main parts to the natural tooth: the crown, which is located above the gum line, and the root, which is securely attached to the jawbone.
Dental implants may involve several pieces, but they are classified into two parts. One part of the dental implant is a custom-fabricated match to the shape of the natural tooth crown. The second part replaces the function of the natural root of the tooth. Dental implants are made of titanium alloy, which the body generally accepts without infection.
The first step in a dental implant is the creation of an opening in the jawbone preparatory to the implant. The implant is placed into the bone at the time of the first surgery. The procedure is performed in the dental office under local anesthesia, which may or may not be accompanied by oral sedation. The implant is placed and followed by a healing cover. After placing the implant, the gums may be sutured and fitted with a temporary denture.
A process called osseointegration plays out during the healing process. This is accomplished when the bone molecules attach themselves to the titanium implant. This will be followed by a period of healing, which takes from two to four months. The full healing ensures that the implant is securely in place.
This will be followed by another surgical procedure where a post will be placed inside the implant. This is the extension to which the crown will be attached. The total process takes four to seven months. The final phase of the implant is the fitted and secure placement of the custom restoration.
The first few months after the dental implant is placed, bone will grow around it. When the bones are fully grown around the implant, it will become securely embedded in the jaw. When the implant is secured and stable, abutment posts will be inserted and will hold the replacement tooth in place. The new crown will look and feel like a natural tooth.
Contact Layton Implants for information about dental implants in Bountiful, Layton, Farmington and surrounding communities.