Are Tooth Implants Permanent?
Tooth loss is a prevalent issue that plagues millions of Americans. But this doesn’t mean that it is okay to live with missing teeth. Teeth are vital since they maintain facial integrity, chew food, help you pronounce words, etc. So, if you lose them, your quality of life will dwindle.
So, our dentist in Gillette, WY, offers dental implants near you to replace missing teeth. Dental implants will give you the best results since they replace your teeth from the root to the crown. So, jaw and tooth functions will be restored.
But getting dental implants is not an easy fit, especially during the healing process. You will need some time to heal since this is the most crucial part of the procedure, determining its lifespan. Without further ado, let’s explore to ascertain whether implants are permanent.
Are They Permanent?
Dental implants are not a new technology. Countless smiles have benefited from tooth implants over the past six decades. Their efficacy is almost unmatched, and millions of smiles worldwide can vouch for them.
Tooth implants are more or less root replacements. Even though they replace the entire tooth, the focus of this procedure is the replacement of the tooth root. The tooth implant is usually the size of a typical tooth root and is made from titanium.
Titanium has been used ever since they were invented since the material is biocompatible. In other words, if titanium is introduced to your body, it will not cause any toxicity.
If you qualify for the treatment, our dentist will place the screw-like root-sized post into your jaw. You will be sent home to allow the healing process to occur; this could be three to six months.
As your jawbone heals, it grows around the titanium rod, and if the process is successful, the implant and the jawbone will fuse. In other words, the implant will be firmly anchored on your jawbone, making it a permanent part of your jaw. So, it is safe to say that tooth implants are permanent.
The titanium root will fully operate as the root that you lost. However, the tooth implant is incomplete without a covering. So, our dentist has to cap the implant using a crown, bridge, or denture.
When the procedure is complete, you will have a permanent tooth replacement to set your teeth back to their former glory.
What Does a Dentist Do?
Our dentist has various implant techniques at their disposal and different types of implants to use. All these options are there to ensure that you get a tooth implant that suits your needs and ensures that implant placement goes as planned.
Our dentist will do the following:
Initial Assessment
Our dentist will take x-rays and scans to check your jawbone during your first visit. What’s more, tooth impressions and the color of your teeth will be taken to ensure that the tooth replacement looks and feels natural.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is performed when the tooth you desire to replace is still intact. So, our dentist will remove the tooth to create room for the implant.
Bone and Gum Grafting
These additional or optional procedures are only performed if our dentist has noticed that you don’t have enough healthy bone and gums to ensure that the implant is secure.
Inserting the Implant
Once our dentist has completed the above procedures, the implant will be inserted into your jawbone.
Abutment Placement
The abutment is a connector screwed on the implant and helps link the implant with the tooth replacement. So our dentist will screw the abutment on the implant giving it room for placing the tooth replacement.
Fixing the Root Replacement
If the abutment is secure, our dentist will proceed by placing the tooth replacement, such as a dental bridge, crown, or dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
So if you are wondering why you should go for implants, look at the following compelling reasons:
- Stability
Everyone wants to have teeth that are not shifty or wiggly. Tooth implants are the only tooth replacement that guarantees stability.
- Durability
Since implants are made of titanium and are placed into the jaw, they are a permanent fixture. So, you can expect to use them for a long time.
- Bone Health
Losing a tooth will always cause the jawbone to deteriorate. However, tooth implants stop jawbone deterioration.
The benefits are not limited to the above list. Contact us at Mountain West Dental for more information.