What Is Dental Implant Restoration?
Tooth loss can affect not only your oral health and confidence to smile but your general health too. Research shows that people with missing teeth have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fortunately, you can now use dental implants to restore your oral health and prevent the various issues and complications that tooth loss can bring.
How does dental implant restoration work exactly?
Here's everything you need to know.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants have three components:
- The metal screw that gets inserted into the jawbone
- The abutment that connects the metal screw to the crown
- The dental crown that gives the tooth its final and complete look and function.
What makes dental implants different from other restoration options is how they work. Because the metal screw is inserted into the jawbone, it will replace and mimic the function of a natural tooth's root. As a result, dental implants are long-lasting, more comfortable, and can even prevent bone resorption.
Types of Dental Implant Restoration
There are several types of dental implants, each designed to address specific dental issues:
- Single Tooth Implant: As the name suggests, this implant is used to replace a single missing tooth.
- Implant-Supported-Bridge: This type of implant is used to replace multiple missing teeth. Your Green Bay dentist will insert multiple implant posts that will serve as anchors for a dental bridge that will restore your smile.
- Full Arch Implant: This type of implant is used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. It involves the placement of multiple implant posts and a full arch dental bridge or denture.
Why Should You Consider Dental Implant Restoration
Dental implant restoration comes with numerous advantages, such as:
- Improved Appearance: Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth.
- Improved Oral Function: Because the implant is inserted into the jawbone, everything becomes easier with this restoration option, from eating and speaking to laughing and smiling.
- Durability: Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. Of course, that requires consistent and proper care, such as brushing and flossing daily, not using your teeth as tools, and seeing your dentist regularly.
- Comfort: Dental implants are designed to be natural-feeling, making them more comfortable than traditional dentures.
What to Expect During the Dental Implant Restoration Process
Firstly, it's important to understand that dental implants take more time than other restorative solutions. That's because the metal post will need at least six months to fuse with the jawbone.
- Initial Consultation: The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine if dental implant restoration is a viable option.
- Planning: The dentist will use digital imaging and other diagnostic tools to plan the placement of the implant post.
- Surgery: The implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone.
- Healing: After the surgery, the jawbone will fuse to the implant post. This process can take several months.
- Restoration: Once the jawbone has fused to the implant post, the dentist will attach a dental crown, bridge, or denture to the implant post.
Is Dental Implant Restoration Right for Me?
The only way to find out is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schmidt at Dental Studio 920. You can do it by sending us a message online or calling us at (920) 399-0428.
