What is a Dental Implant?
The small titanium screw in a dental implant works like a natural tooth root. An implant can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth.
After it's surgically placed in the jaw bone, the implant bonds with the natural bone to serve as an anchor for a tooth replacement.
Dental implants can help to prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, resolve jaw joint pain or bite issues, and help restore facial tissues and appearance.
Why Replace Missing Teeth
If a tooth is missing, the teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift out of place and cause misalignment issues. The jaw bone around the area may also begin to deteriorate, resulting in facial collapse or negatively impacting your ability to eat and talk.
The Dental Implant Procedure
A dental implant procedure requires a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
To start, your dentist will surgically place the implant into your jaw bone underneath the gum tissue. As the tissue heals, the implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum.
Once healing is complete, generally 3 to 6 months post-surgery, patients come back to our office to have the procedure completed.
During this final appointment, your dentist will attach a tooth replacement such as a dental crown, bridge or denture, to the implant to mimic the look and function of a natural tooth.
Dental Implant FAQs
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions we've received from patients about dental implants at Pure Dental.