A dental implant is an excellent restoration choice for patients who have lost a tooth or need tooth extraction due to infection. The implant is a metal screw that is inserted into the jawbone surgically to substitute the lost tooth’s root. After the surgery, patients will receive restoration for their new dental implant. A general dentist may be able to complete the implantation and restoration or refer the patient to a prosthodontist to get the bridge, crown, or denture.
Patients have access to a wide range of options regarding the types and material for dental restoration. Patients who need to replace a single tooth will generally opt for a dental crown. Patients with several missing teeth will benefit from a bridge or denture.
Zirconia and porcelain are sturdy, natural-looking materials used in producing bridges, dentures, and crowns. These two types of materials are suitable for use on the front and back teeth. The prosthodontist will carefully select the shade of the restoration to blend seamlessly with the smile. They also have hyper-surreal translucency like the tooth’s enamel.
Regular dental implant placement procedure takes two surgeries. At the first consultation, the dentist will use diagnostic imaging to create an effective treatment strategy. If the patient has suffered significant bone loss, a bone graft procedure will be required to increase the bone mass to support the implant.
Before the surgery starts, the patient will be placed under anesthesia to ensure comfort. The surgery commences by creating an incision over the gums and drilling a pilot hole in the jaw. Afterward, the dentist will place the implant and stitch up the gum over the implant.
Dental implants need about three to six months to integrate appropriately with the jawbone. After osseointegration, the dentist will invite the patient for a second surgery. During the procedure, the dentist will make another incision in the gums to reveal the implants, connect an abutment to the top of the implant, and stitch the gums, leaving the abutment exposed above the gum. The abutment is what connects the new restoration and the implants. It typically takes about two weeks for healing and recovery after this surgery.
The last stage of the implantation procedure is the placement of the dental restoration.
Also known as teeth-in-a-day, the bridge, crown, or denture is connected to the abutment the same day after inserting the implants in the jaw. The implants used are usually smaller in diameter than regular implants.
Patients can also opt for All-on-4, which is an ideal solution for patients who have lost the teeth on an entire dental arch. Four implants are inserted into the jaw to support a full-arch denture, solving the issue with poor fitting and bone atrophy that often occur with traditional dentures.
A dental implant restoration is the best choice for replacing lost tooth because they keep the bone stimulated and prevent degeneration. If you are missing a tooth, book an appointment with a dentist immediately to get a dental restoration to preserve the beauty and function of your smile.
Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction if the wisdom teeth are causing pain, gum disease, or frequent infections. Wisdom tooth extraction may also be necessary if there are severe cavities on the wisdom teeth as well. Wisdom tooth extraction may also be necessary before orthodontic treatment as well. Wisdom tooth extraction involves the removal of…
A cosmetic dentist performs procedures every day that improve the look of a patient's smile and help build confidence. Veneers are an option for patients who do not like the appearance of the teeth due to shape, size, damage or alignment. Applying veneers involves a multi-step process that includes permanent removal of some of the…
While researching options for teeth straightening, many patients consider the use of clear braces instead of traditional metal braces. There are pros and cons to each option. Before making a decision, learning more about the differences between clear braces options and traditional teeth straightening can help patients decide which route works for their circumstances.Traditional metal…
Individuals who have missing teeth or other dental issues often choose new dentures as a way to resolve these problems and improve the ability to eat and speak properly. Today’s dental technology has made most dentures simple to install and comfortable to wear; however, those who are new to the experience may wonder how long…
A dentist may recommend wisdom tooth extraction if the wisdom teeth are causing pain, gum disease, or frequent infections. Wisdom tooth extraction may also be necessary if there are severe cavities on the wisdom teeth as well. Wisdom tooth extraction may also be necessary before orthodontic treatment as well. Wisdom tooth extraction involves the removal of…
A cosmetic dentist performs procedures every day that improve the look of a patient's smile and help build confidence. Veneers are an option for patients who do not like the appearance of the teeth due to shape, size, damage or alignment. Applying veneers involves a multi-step process that includes permanent removal of some of the…