The Three Parts
Missing teeth is an unfortunate but not uncommon problem. Damage, accidents, illness or even genetic problems can lead to missing teeth. For patients at Summit View Dental Centre, there are a few options to combat missing teeth, including dentures, bridges and implants.
Dental implants are the solution that provides you with the closest thing to your natural teeth. There are generally three parts to a ‘dental implant’:
This provides you with a replacement for your tooth’s root. A dental implant is made of titanium and shaped like a tooth root. The implant is placed into the jaw bone in place of the missing tooth or teeth.
The abutment is a cone shaped and is secured onto the implant. The abutment allows the crown (cap) to be joined with the implant.
The crown or cap is placed onto the abutment. It can be either cemented onto the abutment like a regular crown or even secured into the implant by a torque screw. (Don’t worry the screw is hidden). Every effort is made to make the crown (cap) look as natural as possible.
Common Questions
Patients in good oral and general health can generally be approved for receiving dental implants. Dental implants may require a bone graft, which means that your bone structure and strength should be in good condition. You can remedy bone loss by bone augmentation (see below). Gum disease (periodontitis) may be a deciding factor as well, as there is a risk of the implant becoming infected and failing.
If you inquire at Summit View Dental Centre, Dr. Dhesi will go over your medical history in consultation with you to make sure implants are the right choice for you.
If you and Dr. Dhesi decide that dental implants are right for you, and depending on your individual situation, there may be several stages to receiving an implant.
- Pre-surgery: Dr. Dhesi will take dental x-rays of your teeth to make sure no other dental conditions need attention before considering implants. A three dimensional x-ray (cone beam C.T) is taken of the area where implant(s) are to be placed. After careful examination of the images and keeping the end result in mind an effective surgery plan is created. You will be consulted about sedation options.
- First stage surgery: Dr. Dhesi will open up the gum tissue and place a dental implant into your jawbone. The gum will be stitched back into place.
- Healing: We have to wait until the gum tissue is healed back into place, and for the implant to bind with the bone before the second surgery stage. This stage usually takes four months.
- Second stage surgery: After the area is healed, Dr. Dhesi will attach a healing abutment to the implant. This allows the initial healing of the gums. This procedure usually take 30 minutes from start to finish and is done with local anesthesia (freezing).
- Temporary stage: to help form the gums around the implant site to a natural contour a temporary is placed. This is like a ‘practice tooth’. You can eat with it and get used to having a tooth in the empty space again.
- Final stage: after a final copy or impression is made and sent to the lab the temporary is removed and an abutment or conical post is placed onto the implant. The abutment connects the replacement tooth to the implant. The crown (cap) is then cemented onto the abutment or the crown and abutment complex is screwed into the implant.
- Follow up: You may book a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is secure. If replacing more than one tooth, a fixed bridge will be anchored or cemented onto your dental implants.
Dental implants restore your fully functional smile, bringing back all the health features you enjoyed before losing your teeth. This includes:
- No more joint or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- Restored facial structure
- Restored chewing ability and speech
- Reduced risk of gum disease
- Giving you the smile you love
Dental implants are easy to clean and care for. Like any dental work consistent daily care and having your restoration checked on a regular basis during a dental exam will help keep your investment in your dental health.