Dental implants can serve a few different purposes, such as replacing missing teeth or anchoring dentures.
or many men and women, dental implants are an affordable and effective long-term solution to tooth loss due to trauma or decay. Dental implants are anchored in the jaw bone, which make them a more secure and convenient solution for countless patients.
Elizabeth Wakim DDS offers compassionate, expert dental care, and she will guide you through every step of the dental implant process.
Implants are a dental device that can serve a few different functions, like replacing missing teeth and providing a secure anchor for dentures. A titanium post is implanted into the jaw bone, creating an articial root. An implant abutment and crown can be attached to this articial root to replace a missing tooth, or the root can be used to secure other prosthetics.
The dental implant procedure involves two steps: surgery and restoration.
During the surgical portion of the procedure, the dentist inserts the titanium rod or rods into the jaw bone. Through the process of osseointegration, the implant fuses with the bone and becomes an extremely secure base for crowns, bridges, or dentures. Some patients may require a bone graft to ensure that there is enough support for the implant. This can be addressed during implant placement, eliminating the need for multiple surgical procedures.
The restoration portion of the procedure takes place a few weeks or months after the initial surgery. In the interim, missing teeth can be replaced with a removable flipper or temporary dentures. After the patient has healed from surgery and the implant has had the opportunity to sufficiently fuse with the jaw bone, the patient is fitted for a custom crown, bridge, or denture.
In terms of dental prosthetics, dental implants are as close as you can get to your own teeth. They should be cared for using the standard dental hygiene practices and continuing to visit your dentist for regular check ups and teeth cleaning. For patients with dental implants, failure to maintain proper oral hygiene can result in bacteria that causes swelling, jaw bone recession, and problems.
"Literally the best dentist in the area! The staff is wonderful and Dr. Wakim's entire practice is state of the art with cutting edge technology. The experience is always 5 star and my teeth have never been cleaner or whiter! Thank you for such a positive dental experience."
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