How Dental Implants Work

Dental Implants for a Natural Looking Smile

Many patients realize that dental implants are the closest thing they can get to having natural teeth after carefully evaluating artificial tooth replacement options. Dental implants offer the look and functionality of natural teeth and they have impressively high success rates. Clinical research has shown that if you are in overall good health, there is no better option for replacing missing teeth. Other tooth replacement options require far more maintenance and are not as long lasting as they usually need to be replaced every 8-10 years. On the other hand, dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. A dental implant procedure is real surgery, and it requires multiple visits, considerable time, and a monetary investment. However, the results are worth it for most patients. So how do dental implants work?

What is a Dental Implant made of

how dental implants work from Gregorin Dental in Anchorage, AKThe dental implant itself is composed of three parts:

  1. Titanium Rod
    The first part of the implant is a titanium rod. This is secured into the jawbone and acts as like the root of the tooth. Unlike other metals, titanium is considered biocompatible, meaning the body will accept the titanium which minimizes the risk of infection. The rod can also be composed of ceramic instead of titanium, although the titanium option is significantly more common.
  2. Abutment
    The second part of the implant is called the abutment, and this is attached to the rod to support the dental prosthesis.
  3. Dental Prosthesis
    The third part of the implant is the dental prosthesis which will be molded to fit your face and color matched to your preference. The dental prosthesis is often times a customized crown and is designed to act as your natural tooth.

Dental Implant Process Timeline

The dental implant process timeline starts with an initial consultation. Then a thorough exam will take place in order to create a personalized tooth restoration plan. X-rays and an evaluation of your overall health will be part of the examination. Bone grafting may or may not be a part of the overall dental implant process, depending on the condition and density of your jaw bone.

After the rods are placed into the jaw bone, temporary dental prosthetics will be placed and a 4-6 month healing window will follow as this allows osseointegration to occur. Osseointegration is the process of the rod adhering to the jaw bone. Due to the invasiveness of this procedure, choosing a qualified and competent dental professional is of the utmost importance. Dental implants are akin to any other medical procedure and you should not cut corners.

Dental Implant Surgery at Gregorin Dental

Gregorin Dental is committed to making patients feel comfortable, welcome, and at ease. When you choose Gregorin Dental, you will get a caring practitioner that has years of experience soothing patients while giving them the best dental therapy in Anchorage AK. Call now for more information on how dental implants work or to schedule your free consultation. Dental implant information from an experienced professional is available to help you.

 

<< Back to Dental Implant Services

Start typing and press Enter to search