There is no reason to lose your bright smile forever if you lose your teeth to a disease or an accident. There are plenty of available options that can help restore your teeth to their former glory, and one of the best options is to have dental implants.
September is Dental Implant Awareness month, so we found it fitting to take this month as an opportunity to educate our patients on how life changing this option can be when it comes to restoring your smile. These are essentially prosthetic teeth that look, feel, and work just like your original tooth did – you won’t miss a thing. The dentist will place a crown (also called a cap) atop the implant, and you will maintain your dental implants just like you do the rest of your teeth.
What Does a Dental Implant Do?
Implant restoration is an effective way to restore your teeth, since the implant replaces the root of the tooth in the bone. A dental implant is designed to maintain the integrity of your mouth insofar as your biting, chewing, and keeping your other teeth from slipping out of place and moving toward what would otherwise be an open gap.
Implants also offer greater security and comfort as compared to dentures, since implants are placed into the jawbone and will not shift or slip in your mouth. Unlike dentures, they don’t need overnight soaking. They can also help prevent jawbone degradation and keep your face from sagging, which can happen with significant tooth loss.
A dental implant can be used to replace a single tooth or several teeth, and they can be placed into both upper and lower jaws. Implants can also be used to support bridges or dentures.
The American Dental Association estimates that more than 5 million dental implants are performed each year, which is a testament to the growing popularity of this treatment option.
How Does a Dental Implant Work?
Before you can proceed, your dentist needs to confirm whether you are a good candidate for the procedure through a diagnostic exam and radiographs (X-rays) that will check whether you have adequate bone and healthy gums. If your dentist determines that a dental implant would work for you, the process requires a series of dental appointments.
The first stage starts with your dentist extracting your diseased or damaged tooth (or the remaining roots of the lost tooth), and locating precisely where the implant should be placed. Implants are usually made of titanium due to the metal’s lightweight, strength, and resistance to corrosion.
The healing process takes roughly 4 months. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant and secure it tightly into place.
After several months, you will undergo X-ray imaging so that the dentist can check whether the implant has solidified and completely integrated into the bone. Once it is healed, your dentist will attach an abutment, which is the piece that holds the crown to the actual implant. Together, the implant, abutment and implant crown form your new tooth.
After the treatment is complete, you must maintain proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. With proper care and maintenance, your implants can last a lifetime.
Implant Restoration in Greater Pittsburgh
If you have lost a tooth or have a tooth that needs to be removed, then you may be a good candidate for dental implants. If you would like to find out more about dental implants, visit Marion Smile Center in Zelienople for a comprehensive dental checkup by Pittsburgh-area native Dr. Mark Marion. Dr. Marion has been selected by his dentist peers as one of the areas Top Dentists for nine (9) consecutive years and has appeared in Pittsburgh Magazine for each of these nine (9) years.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Marion, call our friendly staff today at (724) 452-4300 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you and making that smile brighter and more beautiful than ever.
