Standard dental implants can restore the function of missing teeth and preserve the jawbone. The three major components of implants closely mimic natural teeth and with proper care, these implants can last a lifetime, making them a popular choice among dentists and patients.
Natural teeth are rigid, calcified structures that protrude passed the gum line and attach to the jawbone with roots. Dental implants consist of three main parts that duplicate these functions.
The first and most vital step of the implant procedure is the surgical placement of a titanium or zirconium post in the form of a screw or cylinder, inserted where a tooth's natural root once existed. The metals used for posts are durable and well-tolerated by the human body. After a post is placed in the jaw, it begins to fuse with the surrounding bone to create a sturdy foundation for the prosthetic tooth it will later support. This process is called osseointegration and can take three to six months.
Once the dentist is confident that the post has successfully fused with the jaw, the abutment is attached. The dentist makes a small incision that reveals the post's head, onto which the abutment is placed to connect the prosthetic tooth with the post. Abutments also consist of titanium or tooth-colored zirconium. The healing period for this portion of the procedure lasts up to six weeks. Although the abutment has no anatomical equivalent, it is essential to ensure the attachment of the prosthetic teeth to dental implants.
The final stage of the dental implant process involves the placement of the prosthetic tooth or crown. Crowns can be made of resin, porcelain, or metal, and they attach to the abutment with cement or screws.
Crowns cemented to the abutment are very secure and will not become displaced, but using too much cement when positioning them can cause seepage under the gum line, leading to infection. This adhesive can also cause an allergic reaction with some patients. Crowns held in place with cement are challenging to remove if repairs are necessary, but their stability gives patients a high degree of confidence while chewing.
A screw drilled through the crown can also attach the crown to the abutment. This method enables the dentist to remove the crown for cleaning and repair easily, but it can also cause it to loosen while chewing. The dentist can cover the visible screw with a porcelain filling; however, this cannot conceal it entirely. Therefore, screw-retained crowns may be better suited for low-visibility teeth toward the back of the mouth. Ultimately, a dentist will decide how to attach a crown based on the following factors:
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Dental Implants in Port Charlotte, FL
Dental implants are a comfortable, durable, and uncomplicated solution for restoring the function of single or multiple teeth. With good oral hygiene, all the parts of implants can potentially last a lifetime.
Request an appointment or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at 941-676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.
Dental implants are devices, usually made with titanium, that fuse with the jawbone and replace natural tooth roots. A common reason to get an implant is tooth loss due to tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury to the mouth. Some patients report that dental implants are a more natural-feeling alternative to full or partial…
The surgical procedure to place dental implants is similar to all others in that you need some time to recover from the operation. Implants require incisions, so the soft tissues will need to heal to seal up the wounds. In addition, the hard tissues of the jaw bone will also heal slowly, fusing the metal…
One of the reasons why dental implants are a popular option for tooth restoration is that they are durable. With the proper care, they can last a lifetime. Maintaining your implants is not much different than caring for natural teeth, but you have to be diligent about dental hygiene to avoid problems that could cause…