sacramento Dentist | sacramento dental care | CA | Dental Implants

  Dental implants are changing the way people live.
   They are designed to provide a foundation for 
   replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like
   natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth
   regains the ability to eat virtually anything,
   knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial
   contours will be preserved. 

   They are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures.  Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

What Are Dental Implants?

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts, called abutments, which fit over the portion of the implant that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for crowns, which are created by a dentist and fitted onto the abutments for a natural appearance.

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years; but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

Reasons for dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
• Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

Benefits

• The implant will osseointegrate (bond) with the existing bone.
• The new implant will support your teeth firmly and safely.
• Your new implants are aesthetically pleasing.
• You will no longer have pain during talking or eating.
• The dental implant will prevent progressive bone atrophy.

Procedure

The tooth structure has two main sections, the root and the crown. The root is the section of the tooth that is below the gumline.  A dental implant acts as the restorative for this section of the tooth.  The metal implant acts as an anchor in the jawbone. The first step of the procedure is surgical placement of the implant.  Under regular dental anesthetic, the gum tissue is opened and the dentist places the implant into the jawbone.  When this is achieved, the tissue is then sutured closed.  There is not often significant discomfort with this procedure.  This process can take from 1-3 hours depending on the number of implants being placed.

This implant will be left untreated for a period of 3-6 months. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration.  A removable crown may be utilized during this time period to allow for chewing and to preserve the cosmetic appearance..

The next step in the process is to attach an abutment to the tooth.  This is achieved by exposing the top of the implant and placing the abutment.  This is the part of the implant that will support the final crown.

Finally, an impression is taken of the implant and a final restoration is crafted.  This restoration will be comfortable and cosmetically pleasing.  Your completed implant will be fully functional, allowing you to resume normal activities.