Standard Implants
Missing teeth can detract from your smile and confidence. Thankfully, with modern dentistry you can replace those missing teeth with dental implants.
Standard dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are better than other teeth replacement alternatives like dental bridges because no additional teeth need to be altered to place the new tooth in your mouth.
The Process
Installment
The entire dental implant process is performed over several months. The first step is installing the implant body. Once you are comfortable this involves your dentist placing a cylinder-shaped, medical-grade titanium screw into the jawbone. Your dentist will also make a small incision into the gum so the implant can be inserted. Stitches are usually not necessary and typically no bleeding occurs. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary.
Healing
Following installation, the implant must be allowed about 3 — 6 months to heal. In that time the jawbone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. If you are self-conscious or uncomfortable with missing a tooth during this period you can choose from several types of temporary crowns as placeholders. These transitory crowns will allow you to eat and speak normally, and maintain an aesthetically pleasing smile.
The Abutment & The Crown
After the implant has healed it is then time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. Once the abutment is installed an impression is taken and sent to a lab. There it will be used to create an implant crown, which will complete your new tooth. When the crown is ready just come in to our Raleigh, NC office and your dentist will finish your dental restoration by securing the crown to the abutment.
Restore Your Smile Today
Return your smile to its full glory. With dental implants your smile will look just like it used to and after a short period the implant will feel just like one of your natural teeth. To get started on your smile restoration contact Julian S. Drew, DDS at our Raleigh, NC office today. We can’t wait to hear from you!