Implants Information
If You Are Missing a Tooth, There Are Plenty of Reasons to Replace It
- A gap between your teeth, if obvious when you smile or speak, is a cosmetic concern.
- Missing teeth may affect your speech.
- Missing a molar might not be noticeable when you talk or smile, but its absence can affect chewing.
- When a tooth is removed, the biting force on the remaining teeth begins to change. As the bite changes to compensate for the lost tooth, there is a risk of extra pressure and discomfort on the jaw joins, which may lead to tempormandibular disorder, also known as TMD.
- If a tooth is not replaced, the surrounding teeth can shift. Harmful plaque and tartar can collect in new hard-to-reach places created by the shifting teeth.
- Overtime, this may lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
- Bone loss can occur in the region of the missing tooth.
What is involved?
The placement of an implant is generally a three-part process that takes several months.
In the first step, the dentist surgically places the implant into the jaw, with the top of the implant slightly above the top of the bone. A screw is inserted into the implant to prevent gum tissue and other debris from entering. The gum is then secured over the implant, where it will remain covered for approximately three to six months while the implant fuses with the bone.
In the second step, the implant is uncovered and the dentist attaches an extension, called a post, to the implant. The gum tissue is allowed to heal around the post. Once healed, the implant and post can now serve as a foundation for your new tooth.
In the third and final step, the dentist makes a custom artificial tooth called a dental crown, based on a size, shape, color, and fit that will blend with your other teeth. Once completed, the crown is attached to the implant post.
Who is a candidate?
If you are in good general health, with healthy gums and a jawbone that can support an implant, this treatment may be an option for you. In fact, your health is more of a factor than your age. Chronic illness, such as diabetes or leukemia, may interfere with healing after surgery. And if you use tobacco, you are at greater risk for gum disease, which can weaken the bone and tissues needed to support the implant.
Meticulous oral hygiene is critical to the success of the implant. You'll need to spend a little more time caring for the implant and making sure the area surrounding it is particularly clean.